Need some help / Opinions

[69 Code51 Z]

The check was sent 9/11 and cashed 9/18. If he was experiencing personal or family issues or out of town it didn't stop him from getting to the bank. I haven't done anything inappropriate as of yet. All I've done is left a couple of phone messages and a few e-mails. I'd like some suggestions on checking deeper into a situation when there is no response from the individual. Carl

[69LM1]

Jeff I agree. It's always a risk factor. I guess it helped that he eventually scammed a senators son. That's when the FBI got involved.

[70 copo]

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Postal money orders are no safer than any other payment method. Once it has been cashed it's gone. You need to start by finding out if the guy actually lives at the address you sent the money to. If not, then you'll probably never find him again. Check the FBI website, they have a special section for internet fraud and that might be your best pursuit.

[/ QUOTE ]


Here is my experience: I guess I must know who to talk to and which portions of the postal laws to quote when I complained about a scammer 3 years ago to the local postmaster. After doing so I had little problems getting $1500.00 back from a scammer in Florida.

If you do USPS MO transaction right your good. This means that you Document your contacts with the scammer upfront, notate what the USPS MO is for (on it), exactly what the item is (or is not) the anticipated condition of the item you are paying for (again-in writing) and finally when you expect to get it. Get the seller to agree in writing.

Later if the scammer provides you junk or does not deliver - the US Post Office is more than happy to investigate.

I had all kinds of crap from a scammer on a set of junk 974 heads. When the upfront documentation was provided to the USPS the Scammer soon got a knock on the door and I got the money back quick.

If there is any loose ends on your side (on the front end of the deal) you may have screwed yourself but if you are tight you are good. Any major purchace I do is completed this way and always with USPS MO's. Mail fraud charges with documentation to back it up is what you need to drive the investigation.

Phil

[CamarosRus]

Here is the website for filing a mail fraud complaint....


http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors...dComplaint.htm

[Jeff H]

When a criminal uses the internet and postal money orders to scam people, there is no money to be found when he is caught. He goes to jail, he has no income so you'll get nothing back. In my case there was a national case against the guy(he scammed people all over the US and the world) but there was a limited number of people allowed to file against him. Some people might be getting $.01 a month as the guy stamps out license plates in jail, but basically the money is gone. If the scammer is dumb enough to give you his real address and name then you have a chance to recover something. I'm just saying the you shouldn't be fooled into thinking postal money orders are any safer for sending money, they aren't.

[70 copo]

You make your own way through life. The same is true when you are doing business. The net is a dangerous place, so use the mails as well as the net, Heck nothing beats the up front statement "I am planning travel soon How about I just pick it up!"

If the seller delays, hedges, or does not like that offer that is red flag #1.


Bottom line: be smart in any transaction you participate in and you are more likely to prevail later if it goes sour.