posted on May 30, 2001 04:46:29 PM new
I am having this problem with a fraudulent bidder and I thought maybe someone might have advice or know of some legal action I could take. I sell on 10 or more auction sites. It all started with one auction site that I will not name. This fraudulent bidder would bid on every single auction I had running. The Auction Site would cancel that bidders account after a week or two of complaining. But of course they would just sign up under another account. When I started to leave negative feedback for the bidder they would retaliate with feedback saying I was mean, nasty, received their payment but didn't send merchandise. The Auction Site removed the feedback, but the bids just kept on coming. After the retaliation of negative feedback I figured it would just be a waste of time to neg again. So I did a little research and noticed the one user who sold the same items I did who never had any fraudulent bids, I also noticed they stole my auction html and was using it for their auction. I contacted the Auction Site and they said they would look into it. After several emails and weeks I gave up. I decided to stop wasting my time with that auction site. When I stopped listing at that Auction Site all my other auctions on 10 different sites were getting the same fraudulent bids from the same user id's. This person has now become very bold and has used an email address I recognized. This person was actually someone I used to chat with about a year ago. We had shared long emails about our businesses and so on. I could not believe that after all this time this person would be doing this to me. I'm just completely aggravated. I have tried going to websites where you can report fraud, but they always pertain to Buyers not receiving their auction purchase. I have also tried contacting this persons ISP with no reply. I'm not sure what else I can do. It's been going on for months now and I'm about to throw this computer out the window. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post.
posted on June 2, 2001 07:45:41 PM new
The only thing I can think of is to change your ID. I know that means you will have to start over with feedback, but at least that person won't know who you are.
posted on June 13, 2001 07:37:58 AM new
But in this case you also have to change your e-mail address, not only your Id. You can add his/her e-mail in your "Blocked bidder list" on Ebay
posted on June 16, 2001 04:05:08 PM new
Nope, I would go an entirely different route. First, if you have an attorney, use them to write a harshly worded letter to the perpetrator. Second, go to the Attorney General in the other party's state.
posted on June 22, 2001 04:41:08 PM new
harkabeeparolyn,
I have deleted your post. It is not appropriate to any of the forums or threads here at AW and I caution you to not post it again or your posting privileges will be in jeopardy.
posted on July 3, 2001 08:06:35 AM new
wouldnt this be considered harrassment or stalking? I would check into this. Since is does involve the internet, it would be a federal case, I believe. I could be wrong. Check with your local police dept and the FBI. I think the FBI has a toll free number listed on the web. Let us know what happens with this.
posted on July 16, 2001 01:52:22 PM new
I tend to agree with Powerhouse and paloma, it may seem extreme, but this type of activity violates a host of Federal statutes. You also have good grounds for a Civil suit as long as you have good documentation, but of course filing a Lawsuit puts the initial financial burden on you. If you can get a criminal charge upheld in court, then any good lawyer worth his salt would jump at the opportunity to file a civil suit with fees dependant on recovery. If this person has damaged as many auctions as you say they have you deserve some compensation.
posted on July 23, 2001 11:24:20 AM new
If finance is a concern for getting involved
in litagation. There is a newer company
called Pre-Paid Legal. For a minimal
monthly fee, you have access to a large
network of Attorneys with so-many hours
rationed to you in your plan. You can also
find an attorney in the "perps" area
to get involved. The site explains
your benefits with the plan.
I would also call the ISP personally,
better yet send the ISP a registered letter,
so they for sure know it's going on...
then they will be implicated if they let
this continue via their ISP.
