Last Saturday I purchased graphics design services from somebody in Las Vegas who appeared to have a legitimate online operation. Prior to purchasing I contacted the person with a few of my questions to make sure he was available for work. His reponses prior to payment were very rapid. As soon as I paid him his rapid responses stopped and I just figured he had left his desk. The next day I was happy to find a new email with one of his mock-ups. The mock-up was not full-size and had a "sample" watermark on it so you couldn't use. It was also nothing like I had described to him after payment and was very simple. I emailed him back requesting some of the changes I wanted. He didn't respond until the next day and told me he was leaving town and would probably be back tomorrow. It's been 3 days and I haven't received a response from this guy. I'm starting to worry that he will just keep my money and ignore my future emails. If I have been scammed is there a way for me to get back my money on my debit card? Should I report him to the BBB? I believe this guy has a legal business because I checked his WHOIS. The name on his WHOIS is also not the same as the name he gave me.
Depending on the bank, you may be able to do a charge back on the debit card. Your only other option for getting the money back is court. Depending on the amount it would probably be small claims court and you would probably have to go to Nevada to file it (and will cost $43-83 just to file). The BBB will put the complaint on record, but they won't get your money back.
Can I get a chargeback if I admit I knowingly sent them the payment and they never sent me anything? Or do I need to lie and say that somebody used my debit card without permission?
If your bank does chargebacks, they will do one if the item purchased was never sent. Of course, if they are like paypal, they may consider it an intangible good and do nothing.
Wasn't a lot. Just $70 for about 4 graphics. I think most graphics designers could do this in 1 day!.
Lying to your bank, claiming it was someone else who used your card is fraud and probably violates criminal laws as well. You could end up in a world of trouble trying something like that. I doubt it is worth it over a couple bucks.
I'm happy to let everyone know that I FINALLY got a refund from this guy. I was really stressed out about this but stayed patient and didn't send him any threatening emails. Kindness seems to be the best way to resolve problems. Even if you're dealing with a scammer.
I hope more people will read this, as it's pretty good advice. More times than not, people get angry with scammers and threaten them. When that happens, these people just ignore you and you will never get the money back. The better idea is to be nice with them for a while and don't threaten them.