What action can I take against a fraudulent online shop?

Question

Fraud may be too stronger word in this case, but here are the facts:

I bought a number of items from an on-line store some time ago. When the package arrived one of the items I'd ordered was missing despite payment for it being sent. I emailed the seller stating this, but received no reply. I then sent a second email, drafted from an on line trading standards template, giving the seller 14 days to reply. Still no reply.

I know that the email address for the shop is valid since the shop owner and myself have had contact previously. In each case the subject of these emails regarded the purchase and responses were sent within a matter of hours. Suspicious then that he will not reply to a complaint.

What should I do once the seller's fourteen days are up?

Answer 1

If you have threatened legal action then that is what you must do, take them to the County Court, not only will they be forced to pay you what they owe they will also incur legal costs.

Answer 2

if you paid by card your in luck. go to the bank and they will get your money back. it's actually your banks fault for releasing the funds to a fraudulant company. they will have to recover the money.

try phoning insted of emailing them.

email from a diffrent account and see what happens. if make up a email and then if they reply, say i have been emailing you from ..... email address with no reply, funny you replyed so quickly to this one, see my solicitor will be quite surprised to hear about this.

Answer 3

Send copies of the two E-mails to your State Attorney General's office. Explain the situation. Also send copies to the State Attorney General of the state in which the company operates. If it's out of country, you can't expect any help there... most don't care as long as they get their cut.

A hint at what steps you should take could be gained by reading the 14-day notice. It should outline the actions you are going to take.

If the items are expensive, you might get an attorney involved. Often a letter from an attorney will spark action. But if it's "Fly by Night Products" of Mexico, or some such third-world country, an attorney will do you absolutely no good.

You also might want to review the conditions of sale for that company. That might give you some idea as to recourse... if you have any.