Isaac

MODS and All Honda-Techer's:

Being a victim of fraud recently, I was forwarded this e-mail by a very helpful member and I thought it was very informative. It's an excellent guideline to follow if you do decide to purchase anything online. Maybe it can a permanent sticky in the future...

Sorry about the format...I copied and pasted it directly.


> > I've compiled a pretty good rough outline. It is most effective when
> > used prior to initial contact in order to offer you the most protection.
> > After that, the rest is pretty cut and dry. The biggest hurdle will be
> > production of acceptable evidence for a warrant to be issued. Be sure to
> > give me feedback on the contents and results.
> >
> > Here it is:
> >
> > Covering your own rear in an internet/ long distance transaction is
> > vital. When answering an ad, get all information that you can about the
> > seller. Be sure to read the instructions completely before acting in any
> > way. The info that you need is as follows:
> >
> > 1. HOME phone number. It is easy to reverse trace, where a cell number
is
> > not. If you get a cell number, casually bring up the conversation of
cell
> > service. Is theirs good, what package and carrier? record and save the
> > information both of home and cell.
> >
> > 2. Get the seller's street address and mailing address if different.
(ask
> > if
> > it is the same). Record and save the information.
> >
> > 3. It is helpful to get the seller's work address and phone number
through
> > casual conversation. Record the information
> > and save.
> >
> > 4. Find out the seller's internet provider. Hotmail accounts do not
count.
> > The conversation could go like this: "Can you e-mail me a picture of
the
> > part? Then again, my server is so crappy lately it is a wonder that I
get
> > any e-mail at all. Who do you have for service? is it as slow as _____?
"
> > Record and save the information.
> >
> > 5. When sending payment, use a money order with enough room to put your
> > name
> > and address as well as the name and address of the seller. It is vital
> > that
> > you get a money order that allows you to put a description of what the
> > money
> > order is for. I use First Union Bank money orders because they have
> > provisions for the above information. Keep a photocopy and receipt of
the
> > Money Order.
> >
> > 6. Send payment via usps and use delivery confirmation. This allows
> > tracking
> > the shippment. This way the perp cannot claim the funds were not
received
> > and provides proof of USPS involvement. Keep the receipt.
> >
> > 7. Keep a record of all phone calls (phone bills would be great) , keep
> > all
> > e-mails and print them out in paper form as well as a backup disk.
> >
> > 8. Keep a record of the for sale ad location, and make a printed
copy/disk
> > backup.
> >
> > It is vital that you follow the above steps. The information above will
> > give
> > you an iron tight case and all of the information will be put to good
use
> > if
> > the need arises. The following information centers around what to do in
> > case
> > of being ripped off. Assuming that phone calls and e-mails are getting
you
> > nowhere, you must now be a private investigator for a day or two.....
> >
> > 1. Using the perp's address, do an internet search or whatever other
means
> > available, find out what law enforcement agency has jurisdiction over
the
> > perp's mailing/street address. record and save the information.
> >
> > 2. Find out what local law enforcement agency has jurisdiction over the
> > location in which your first contact with the seller's ad took place
from.
> > Example: If you answered the ad from your computer at home, then the
> > jurisdiction must cover your home address. Record and save the
> > information.
> >
> > 3. Find out the perp's Internet Service Provider's page and contact
> > information, record and save.
> >
> > 4. Find out the perp's cell/home phone provider, contact information.
> > Record
> > the information and save.
> >
> > 5. Find the address and contact information of the perp's local post
> > office.
> > Record the information and save.
> >
> > 6. Call the seller's work location at a time that the perp cannot answer
> > the
> > work phone and find out who runs/owns the business. Record the
information
> > and save.
> >
> > If all the above steps have been completed, Congrats! You are ready to
> > wage
> > war.......When doing so, it will be most effective if the perp doesn't
> > know
> > that the war has started, It is essential that the complaints be filed
all
> > in the same day with referance to all other complaints. Example: The
post
> > office complaint should contain a referance to the FBI complaint, ISP
> > complaint, etc......
> >
> >
> > 1. Start a negative thread explaining the situation.
> >
> > 2. Draft a letter of complaint with plenty of copies that outlines the
> > transaction, as well as all copies of information that you gathered.
This
> > can be a basic form type letter and may look as follows:
> >
> > Dear ________ (perp or agency),
> >
> > I am the victim of a internet scam involving the sale of auto
parts.
> > Here is a synopsis of what has occured. (time to give the facts here)
> >
> > I also have the following information that will be relevant: ( give as
> > much
> > of the perp's information that you have found including websites of
> > negative
> > info, ISP info, post office info, police dept. etc.
> >
> > So in a recap, I contracted to buy parts via internet from: _________
> > (include address)
> >
> > I sent a money order in the amount of _____through the US postal service
> > to
> > the above person.
> >
> > The perp will not answer e-mail, phone, etc.... and I need help. Can you
> > provide assistance?
> >
> > Than you for your help,
> > (signed________)
> >
> > 3. Gather all related information including web pages and the negative
> > thread, and file a report with:
> > a. the local agency that had jurisdiction over your first contact.
IT
> > IS IMPORTANT that all information in copy form be submitted to your
local
> > agency first. Be sure to include the perp's ISP provider, phone
number,and
> > the perp's local law enforcement agency that would pick him up. The
local
> > agency will take the report and foreward to the perp's local agency for
> > their dispatch of an officer.
> >
> > b. The FBI internet fraud site http://www.ifccfbi.gov
> >
> > c. The perp's ISP provider stating that the perp is using their
> > service
> > to commit internet fraud. Send via regular mail and e-mail.
> >
> > d. The perp's phone service/ cell provider for using their service
to
> > commit internet fraud. Send via regular mail AND e-mail.
> >
> > e. The US postal service for using the mail to commit mail/ internet
> > fraud. Do two reports, one to your local office and one to the perp's
> > office. Do both regular mail and internet e-mail. http://www.usps.com
> >
> > f. File a report with http://www.trollhunters.com
> >
> > g. File a report with http://www.fraud.org/info/contactnfic.htm
> >
> > h. Send a complaint form copy to the work location of the perp that
is
> > addressed to the owner/manager. Make sure to include the phrase:
> > " While you do not have any control over this individual when he is not
at
> > work, you should make sure that internet fraud is not being committed by
> > the
> > perp using company equipment or company internet access."
> >
> > i. Notify the perp and provide a list of all reports filed, that
you
> > have been forced to take action and that it is now completely out of
your
> > hands. The only way that proceedings can be dissolved is by the perp
> > making
> > restitution. Make it known that you gave him every chance, and now the
> > authorities will take over. (at this point negotiating is pointless, the
> > perp knows what to do.) End of discussion. Sometimes the most stubborn
> > crook
> > will do nothing until they get the knock at the door from the police. If
> > that is what it takes, so be it.
> >
> > What to do when dealing with a minor:
> >
> > Everthing above works fine, but additional work in the area of
> > intelligence gathering is needed. Usually if all the above information
is
> > obtained, internet searches can usually point the way to the parents.
The
> > parents are to be notified in the same manner as all the other agencies,
> > including copies of complaints to other agencies. It is important that
you
> > do not threaten a minor via e-mail or phone conversation. Leverage can
be
> > used, but to physically threaten with voilence will affect your position
> > when pressing charges.
> >
> >
> >
> > In closing,
> >
> > The lawmakers in this nation have realized the importance of a seperate
> > task
> > force dealing with internet fraud. Most police agencies have a seperate
> > division that deals strictly with internet fraud. This helps speed up
the
> > process, being seperated from the kid up the block that steals a
> > skateboard.
> > I cannot stress enough, the importance of a strong determination to win.
> > Failure is not an option and you must persist with the vigilance that
the
> > rotten little perp has stolen food right from your starving family's
mouth
> > and that THIS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. Persistance and a strong outward
> > display
> > of confidence is required. Some of this is a simple game of Poker.
> > Sometimes
> > you bluff, other times you have the decisive hand. The above information
> > and
> > proceedures will give you the best possible hand, use it wisely and
> > satisfaction will be your reward. Remember, the perp already has your
> > money,
> > you have nothing else to lose. You will cause the perp great stress by
> > unleashing the dogs of war on all fronts and at the same time. Often
this
> > is
> > enough to make them make restitution swiftly. For those that still think
> > they can get away with it, using the above proceedures, a man wearing
blue
> > WILL show up on his doorstep, offering him a free ride downtown. Not
only
> > that, his ISP will cancel his service, the US Postal Service will
dispatch
> > warnings and may press for a warrant.

Isaac

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