Hi, I got scammed $1500 using paypal for some web related services. What are my next steps? This guy used a made up payal account that has false info. Also I know that I am in the USA and the scammer is in Canada. -Charles
Why would you participate in bad business practices anyway? You would check up on all the information, feedback and reputation on forums. If they aren't signed up to the forums and you don't have reliable backups, consider them false sales weither they are real or not. Secured transactions is for the benefit of you - and if you can't take the time to collect up information on your buyer (which is valid) then you are going to lose out on a ton of money.
Charles again? I see you everywhere on DP. Got your business mentoring info. What kind of transaction was it about? It's always easier to do something with physical products rather than services/virtual goods. Usually, Moneybookers is better for higher transactions. They're doing less of "remove money from seller" whenever something goes bad on the buyer's part. So, what did you sell exactly?
$1500 is really not that much for me... But it still kind of pisses me off that someone would scam. I bought a server that doesn't exist
1) Me too! They have an email for scam reports (in Europe, I assume in the americas as well). 2) "change your identity" and contact the guy again as a new potential client. Get his real name and address and send somebody to break his bones
How did you fund the transaction? If you paid via credit card Id be hitting up your card provider and do a chargeback - if you paid via paypal funds your only hope is that paypal do something but I don't like your chances Im afraid. Pay pal suck at helping out with "non tangible" transactions, but its still worth a try opening a dispute. In future if you must use paypal consider funding via credit card (although paypal try several times during the process to talk you out of it) at least you have a back up when paypal tell you that they are happy to make a mint out of you in fees but wont protect you... I have never had an issue getting my credit company to charge back on a scam deal if I can prove my case. Of course an Escrow service is always best for $$$ transactions Good luck!
oh and as for what to do about this scamming company - report them. try http://www.ic3.gov/ to file a complaint or to report Internet Crime. and http://www.ftc.gov/ to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission if you suspect you are a victim of fraud.
Open a paypal dispute and call paypal to elaborate your situation if you paid via paypal funds. Chargeback via credit card company if you paid via credit card funds.
Start a dispute, PayPal do well at reversing charges. I have had people trying to pay with fraudulent details to my website and I have never had a problem reversing transactions. They won't get away with it. I think there is a time period of up to 180 days for PayPal to claim the money back or something.
Hi Charles, The buyer protection policy with Paypal is usually limited to the sale of physical goods only that can be verified with a tracking number but there are actions you can take. 1. First file a dispute with Paypal regarding the transaction through your control panel. That will at least block him from doing it to others. 2. Log and save any and all contact information and correspondence you had between you like e-mails and chat logs. They will sometimes take faxes if you can get hold of a manager and add it to the dispute. 3. Chargeback your credit card. 90% of times this works. Just be relentless. If you do a lot of business with Paypal they are more likely to at least try to help you out. I've had some International rip-offs myself and actually they were pretty cool about the whole thing - as soon as I started yelling. $1500 is still $1500 no matter how much cash you have. I'd fight it just on principle alone. Hope it works out for you.
Honestly, when I do anything through DP or over a certain amount I'm willing to risk, www.escrow.com. If its a small amount (usually under a thousand) I'll use PayPalfor simplicity's sake. Sorry to hear about this though
If I can give you a tip. You allready mentioned it yourself that it isnt that much money for you. Move on and forget about it I would suggest. Don't stay in this negative spiral. They will get what they deserve at the end.
PayPal dispute is the obvious first step.. Using a credit card iwth PayPal and then reversing it may get your PayPal account terminated, but you would still have your money.. Escrow.com for anything over $1000 is the rule..