International cheat

One of my wonderful readers had a problem of international fraud.  The reader, like half my readers, lives outside the U.S.  He ordered some second hand equipment that he bought online and had shipped to him.  The company that sold the equipment sent crap but the cost of shipping it back exceeded the value of the heavy equipment and the seller ignored all pleas for recompense.  Not much to do.  My reader asked what I would do about this fraud.

First, if I were ever going to be in the town where the fraud operates his business I would buy a local baseball bat and break his knees, especially since my appearance is unknown to the fraud.

If that is not possible or acceptable then I would begin a letter writing campaign with two key components: first use real letters, snail mail, addressed to real individuals; second target a dozen official people.  With enough targets there is likely to be action.  Each letter must be in clear English and directed at motivating the recipient.

Example: I would write to the local District Attorney pointing out that a successful local fraud operator, unrestrained unpunished, will attract other fraud operators to the same town and create future problems.

Example: Write to the local Congressman pointing out that other members of Congress and people in the Executive Branch could very well start looking into the types of fraud in the congressional district exemplified by this fraudulent exporter.

Got the idea?  My experience is that enough letters, including local press will get action.  Don't waste a stamp on the Better Business Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce...99% will do nothing or worse pass your letter on to the fraudulent operator.

Comments

[Jim]

These are great ideas.