Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Internet Theft

[pcwindows]

Hi, I am hoping to get some advice on an incident involving my business.

I own a small computer sales business in Pennsylvania. I had a customer from West Virginia purchase a Dell laptop from me in the amount of $1195.00 on Ebay.com. The customer paid with a credit card using Paypal.com.

I shipped to the address listed in the customers Paypal payment and shipped with UPS tracking and signature confirmation. The laptop was delivered and signed for by the customer.

I received an email from the account holder today informing me that he did not authorize the purchase and that it was made by his disgruntled ex-girlfriend. He had also reported this to Paypal and since the payment was not authorized they have removed the amount of $1195.00 from my account, so at this time I have neither the laptop or the payment. The customer confirmed that he will help in any way to help resolve this matter and give any pertinent information related to this matter.

He gave me the email and phone number of his ex girlfriend, but she has not responded.

My question is what steps I should now to take to retrieve my merchandise. This is the first time I have had a problem such as this and just want to make sure that I do everything by the book so that I can get my merchandise back.

I am grateful for any advice you can give.

 

[mightymoose]

You need to review the rules you agreed to when you signed up to Ebay and agreed to accept Paypal payments. Those rules will outline how you need to handle this.

 

[pcwindows]

Thanks for your reply. Ebay and Paypal will not help in this case since the customer is reporting that this was an unauthorized purchase. That is why I want to move forward to go after the buyer to retrieve my money or my laptop. I am not sure if this is criminal or civil or what steps I need to take to do this?

 

[pcwindows]

One thing I forgot to ask, in a situation such as this would I need to go after the original account holder or his ex girlfriend?

 

[shrinkmaster]

Contact Police and file a theft case. Its very possible they may tell you this is a Civil matter but you wont know until you try. If it is indeed a civil issue getting your money or property may prove difficult. A lawsuit can take a year or so to resolve with no promise of seeing your money or laptop even if you win

 

[mightymoose]

Your biggest problem is that you likely don't live anywhere near the buyer and suing is not a practical option. Your local police won't do much more than push you toward civil options. If they do take a report it will be sent to the other jurisdiction and will go to the bottom of a large pile.
Your best option is to look into your own protections via Paypal, maybe making a fraud report of your own.
Get a copy of the signature card and find out who signed for your parcel.
You can't take the guys word for it about his girlfriend. He could be scamming you. He isn't going to report her for fraud though.
Anyway, someone received your laptop. Work this out with Paypal.

 

[pcwindows]

Thank you for the reply. I have contacted Paypal and am going to try and work it out with them.

The buyer has actually been very helpful. He has given me all of his contact information including address and phone along with his girlfriends contact information. He has said that he will help and that he will talk to the police so I am not sure if he is involved with the scam or not.

If it is a civil matter than I will file charges in small claims court. From what I have read I am able to file the claim here in my local county since my business is located here.