Craigslist scam...avoid... (Updated 6/26)

[Santos208]

Lesson learned?

[kav]

I've had great luck getting the Govt to put the screws to thieves.

[Chip Cataldo]

Lesson learned?

Oh hell yes. From now on unless it's Paypal, I walk away. As I said, this isn't something I normally do unless it's local. There were many factors that made me think it was legit. Now, it won't matter...no Paypal, no sale.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

[Santos208]

CL is always a risk IMO. Even when meeting in person. Specially when buying big ticket comics, you never know if the seller if bluffing or not, so is a good idea to take another person with you or pack a gun, or both. People will do crazy stuff if they know you are carrying $1,000+ cash.

 

 

[spidrvacc]

Once I had this type of thing happen. Purchased a comic book , believe it was $250 and never got the book and no response from the seller. I finally got his phone number and kept getting hung up on. I finally got in touch with his dad and his dad was mad his son would do that and told me not to worry I would get my book. 5 days later I got my book with a hand written apology from his son.

 

Hope you get your book and or your money back. i hate when people do these things to other people.

[Chip Cataldo]

Hrm...that's a good point. Maybe I'll keep calling the numbers I have and see if I can get someone else to pick up the phone.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

[kav]

Be relentless-like the terminator. One dude sent numerous pizzas, gravel deliveries, magazine subscriptions, escorts....

[Red84]

I hope you get your money back or the promised books.

[CAHokie]

Be relentless-like the terminator. One dude sent numerous pizzas, gravel deliveries, magazine subscriptions, escorts....

 

All of which are crimes themselves. Perhaps you could try and limit yourself to realistic advice or.....

 

Nothing I can say here....

[kav]

Be relentless-like the terminator. One dude sent numerous pizzas, gravel deliveries, magazine subscriptions, escorts....

 

All of which are crimes themselves. Perhaps you could try and limit yourself to realistic advice or.....

 

Nothing I can say here....

Sorry I was just jokin around obviously that would be stupid

[ttfitz]

Hrm...that's a good point. Maybe I'll keep calling the numbers I have and see if I can get someone else to pick up the phone.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

 

If the fellow already knows your phone number, you might try calling from a different number.

[kav]

Call him from the police station

BAZINGA!

[Chip Cataldo]

Hrm...that's a good point. Maybe I'll keep calling the numbers I have and see if I can get someone else to pick up the phone.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

 

If the fellow already knows your phone number, you might try calling from a different number.

Good point. I can definitely do that.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

[prez]

http://charleston.craigslist.org/clt/4476228937.html

 

I got burned. It's my own fault, but there were several things about communicating with this guy that made it not seem like a scam and actually legit. Now I'm fighting to get my money back.

 

Please, no scolding...I feel crappy enough about it. I just wanted to let everyone else know about the ad just in case.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Sorry to hear your horror story. I'm sure it'll work out in the end.

[Chip Cataldo]

Going to file a complaint with the DA's office up there. I also filed a complaint with the USPS Fraud division online. Still haven't heard from the scumbag's bank, though I expect to today.

 

Can anyone think of something else I can do here?

 

Peace,

 

Chip

[Jiminy_Cricket-migration]

 

Can anyone think of something else I can do here?

 

 

Several. But none of them are legal. How far are you willing to go?

[Chip Cataldo]

I'm not doing anything illegal. I have my family to think about.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

[Jiminy_Cricket-migration]

I'm not doing anything illegal. I have my family to think about.

 

Peace,

 

Chip

 

Good call. If you didn't grow up in a wise guy environment in a major city, it's best to play it safe. (thumbs u

[nocutename]

I think you are doing all the proper steps. I had something similar happen to me for a much much smaller amount of money though. But still, I hate the fact that someone tried to pull a fast one.

 

He did send me a few books along with his return address so I called the guy several times and left messages. Nothing bad but stated that he owed me a refund or the books. After about 6 months of this, he finally send me another package. I think he purchased them from goodwill as they were fairly beat up but at least I got most of the stuff I ordered.

 

This happened way before ebay purchased paypal so there wasn't any buyer's protection. Ultimately, I believe calling him every other week or so wore on his conscientious. No one likes when a problem rears it ugly head a few months later. So I would like to believe he was tired of my calling him. However, you have to be careful that it isn't construed as harassment especially if you are taking him to court. There are alot of lawyers on these board that can really help out.

 

Good luck and it happens so don't feel so bad.

 

Edit: I don't believe your bank isn't really correct. They should try to put a stop payment on the check. It may not work but they need to go through the paperwork. It is up to the other bank if they will honor the stop payment. Most likely not if they paid out on the check already. However, it never hurts to go through the motions and you now have proof of your efforts over someone's word.

[Chip Cataldo]

I just got the call back from the bank in New York where the check was cashed/deposited. They can't do anything unless I get a judgement against him awarded in my favor.

 

So, I just spoke extensively to an attorney (who is also a judge, apparently) in that area of New York and he basically told me what I need to do to file a judgement in court against this person. It would take me flying up there to appear in court and retaining counsel (amongst other things). Basically it would cost more than the money I'm fighting for. He also said that the district attorney of that jurisdiction does not take complaints or write letters on people's behalf, so I can't do that.

 

Who knew that you could defraud someone using your own name, address and bank account and not be held responsible for anything? No repercussions at all. It also galls me that the authorities up there are not interested in helping one bit.

 

I'm not sure what else I can do at this point other than give up. If I was not responsible for a family and had the time I'd drive up there with a baseball bat. I know his name and I know what he looks like.

 

Peace,

 

Chip