Consumer Action: How To Kick A Scammy Car Dealer In The Nuts

Consumer Action: How To Kick A Scammy Car Dealer In The Nuts: "How To Kick A Scammy Car Dealer In The Nuts"

"What do you intend to do with those?" he asked..

"Mr. Smith," I said coolly, even though my hands were sweaty and shaking, "at this point, it doesn't really matter to me whether I get my money back or not. I am going to exercise my First Amendment right to stand on that public sidewalk in front of your dealership. I'll hand one of these flyers to anybody walking onto your lot. I'll be carrying a picket sign with the same message."

Now, if I can just figure out how to do the same to the Craigslist scammer. Nigeria 419, Advance Fee Fraud, whatever you call it, has cost me about 90minutes of phone calls, which I consider to be a cheap price at education. Bank of America sent a copy of the returned check and so far has not charged the $5 fee they told me I would see.

I spoke to UPS, and then the holder of the account used to mail the check to me. I have to followup with UPS why they say the account holder was charged, but that person tells me they spoke to UPS who said they WERE NOT CHARGED! WTF!

There are two people (with fake addresses, probably), but real www.zabasearch.com entries who may or not be unwitting moles (remember Dateline about those people who re-mailed packages?) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17713446/

The Secret Service and FBI have said, don't waste our time. I can file a police report, but the detective I spoke to said he doesn't make much progress on them. Maybe he can help me find the internet cafe used to send the emails.

Ways to stop it:
1) Get involvement from Western Union. Flag the authorities when the recipient tries to pick up the money. Credit card machines do something similar. Good luck, as WU makes $189 every time a victim sends money, but spends little to stop it.

2) Have the depositing bank verify electronically that the check is drawn on an OPEN account. The check I received was fraudulent, drawn on an account Author House closed three years ago.