Friendly fraud

[Scam101]

I had a renter who filed a charge back. They paid thru paypal for several nights vacation rental stay. The buyer used the house for the period which they paid and upon checkout they filed a charge back with their credit card company. Claimed unauthorized transaction. This was in retaliation after they were informed that part of their security damage deposit will be withheld due to damage and trashing the house. Since this is a third party dispute as paypal is the middle man we don't have the credit card information to be able to provide evidence and fight our side of the story. Paypal refused to pursue the case (not a service they provide) and credit card returned all the money to the buyer. Now they had a free vacation at our expense. We have a signed rental agreement, proof that the person who paid signed into our private complex (thru security office) to access the property, and email communication with the renter thru entire process. Is small claims my only resort at this point? Property is in Pa and renter was from ny. Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[army judge]

I had a renter who filed a charge back. They paid thru paypal for several nights vacation rental stay. The buyer used the house for the period which they paid and upon checkout they filed a charge back with their credit card company. Claimed unauthorized transaction. This was in retaliation after they were informed that part of their security damage deposit will be withheld due to damage and trashing the house. Since this is a third party dispute as paypal is the middle man we don't have the credit card information to be able to provide evidence and fight our side of the story. Paypal refused to pursue the case (not a service they provide) and credit card returned all the money to the buyer. Now they had a free vacation at our expense. We have a signed rental agreement, proof that the person who paid signed into our private complex (thru security office) to access the property, and email communication with the renter thru entire process. Is small claims my only resort at this point? Property is in Pa and renter was from ny. Any help would be most appreciated.

Small claims is an option, but its all but impossible for you to pursue a NY resident in PA small claims case.
You could waste money chasing him in NY, but even if you win, getting paid is far more arduous a task.
All you'd be doing is imitating a dog chasing his tail.
You got taken on this one, mate.
I suggest you require an advance deposit by money order, cashiers check, or cash in the future to thwart these budding little scammers.