Sad Story from One Who Trusted without Checking!

[mufasa0505]

Stacey, I haven't posted in this thread yet, but I just wanted to say I hope your family had a great Halloween.

 

[Joni]

This may sound really stupid but what is the red flag about Western Union?
I have never wired money anywhere and never recieved money from anyone. I'm not sure where a Western Union pick-up is around here. What is the correct way to transfer money? Don't think I would ever rent my points because we would probably just let family use them if we couldn't. Hopefully don't have to rent points because I think we finally have enough.

 

[mikesmom]

It's a red flag because it's pretty much like sending someone cash. You can't stop the "check" because there isn't one, you can't reverse the transaction like with a credit card. You just sent someone cash and there is no way to call it back.

 

[DMKEDM]

Hi to all our good Disboard friends...your good wishes and happy thoughts (and pixie dust) have made such a difference over the past couple of weeks...thank you so much.

Like Stacey, there's no news on my front...and it will take a good deal of time (if things go as predicted) before there's anything to report...but I'm happy to share with you that we're just shy of three weeks from leaving for a "taste of the magic"...we go to SSR for T-giving...AND a so totally awesome development: my college son is bringing his new girlfriend w/him--and it will be her first trip to WDW (but she's a lifelong fan of all things Disney; she's just never been to WDW)...how magical will that be?!!?!! We're SO excited!

So, life is good and I hope I get to meet all of you at our favorite spot in the near future!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dani

 

[dianeschlicht]

Dani, our favorite thing is showing newbies around the World! You will have a BLAST doing that. Be sure to let us know how the crowds are at Thanksgiving, because we will be there at that time next year celebrating our son's marriage in Disney.

 

[Uberweasle]

Wow, what a thread. It's unfortunate that events like these occur, and each of you have my sympathy and best wishes. I hope you find satisfactory resolution to your issues, and that the culprit is dealt with appropriately.

Tom, your offer of points speak volumes about your character. I hope you are in the office next time we are in Orlando so that I have the opportunity to meet you and shake your hand.

This thread seems to have brough out the best in many Dis members. Kudos to you all.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I'm happy to share with you that we're just shy of three weeks from leaving for a "taste of the magic".

It is my greatest wish that you experience more than just a taste, as you deserve a veritable feast after what you've been through! Have a good one!

 

[StaceySaulino]

Hi All,

Just wanted to say hello and test out my cool little picture on my signature. I finally added some fun to my account

 

[castleri]

It is my greatest wish that you experience more than just a taste, as you deserve a veritable feast after what you've been through! Have a good one!

Maybe one of the really great "million dreams" will come their way - let's hope so

 

[dianeschlicht]

Maybe one of the really great "millionb dreams" will come their way - let's hope so

Wouldn't THAT be cool?!?!?!?!!!!!

 

[Gary K. D.]

Funny but this is the second reference to requesting money through Western Union that I have heard of. In both cases, they were scams involving timeshares. The other one that I am familiar with occurred through Tug to a friend and, fortunately, the deal became so complicated that my friend backed out. Further investigation revealed a bogus phone number and a "drop" mail address. It must be because of the lax rules on money transfers by Western Union and their lack of safe guards. I guess the rule here is that is if it through Western Union, walk away.

 

[BurkeTribe]

. I guess the rule here is that is if it through Western Union, walk away.

Western Union money transfer is great for the original purpose-- wiring money to someone one knows who needs money fast. If it's a case of something like "brother who's travelling in Armenia out of cash," sure, Western Union him some moolah. But I would never use it for any type of purchase transaction (and I see "Russian" cameras all the time that I would love to buy online, but not by sending money by WU to Siberia ).

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks for posting...and I am so sorry this has happened to you.

 

[tinks#1fan]

I've read this whole thread now but wish I had 3 weeks ago. I was also scammed by the same person "R". I too, am new to this site but it was recommended to me as a way to stay on Disney for a reasonable price. If it works out, it is very reasonable.

I answered a "points for rent" thread and starting dealings with this unscrupulous "owner". She didn't want money from Western Union though, she requested a Postal money order. She wanted it overnighted. The day she was to receive it I got a PM from someone who saw I was dealing with this person and directed me to the Vogel Family thread. I instantly went on the USPS web site and found out that they had tried to deliver it but no one was home. They left a notice that they would try to deliver it the next day. I quickly called my local post office and told them I needed to stop the overnight delivery. They told me to come right in and they would call the NY post office it went to to stop it. When I got to the post office (15 minutes later) they called NY and were told that she had just picked it up 5 minutes earlier.

She apparently tried to cash it there but had no ID. The post office people knew she was a scam artist and were told if she acted suspicious picking up another letter/package they were to call the police, which they did but she was already gone. They thought she had probably gone to some Mom and Pop shop that wouldn't care about ID and cashed it there.

Anyway, I put a hold on the money order in case she didn't get to cash it. I haven't heard yet if she did. I also filled out some paperwork to start a postal investigation, this would fall under mail fraud (federal offense). Anyway, apparently, the NY post master got in touch with her and stated if she didn't return the money she would be charged with mail fraud.

Long story short, she has moved (disappeared) and, of course, left no forwarding address. So, there I am.

I had already told my 8 year old about the trip so after talking to some obviously reputable owners, found someone to rent me the points I needed for our February trip. I just got the confirmation and a contract today.

Anyway, just wanted you all to know she has struck again, is still using the same name as the Vogel thread, and has disappeared for now. I think you all have been wonderfully supportive to her "victims", thank you for that. I too genuinely believe that most people are honest and trustworthy, it didn't necessarily serve me well this time, but I still believe in mankind.

I would love to know if Stacey or Dani have any better outcomes. I'll be following this thread, I just couldn't add my two cents till I got over the trauma, and knew for sure that we'd still be able to go.

Peace to you all, Sally

 

[Muushka]

I am so sorry Sally. I hope that with your circumstances they are able to prosecute her even more effectively with the mail fraud. Fingers crossed for all who are involved with this....um...don't know what to call the perp.

 

[Scotch]

Sally, I, too, am so sorry to hear of your loss! Can we change the title of this thread so it catches the eyes of newbies casually browsing the board?? Can we put a link to this thread as a sticky on the rental board?

 

[DMKEDM]

Sally: It stinks, doesn't it? Am so glad you got your alternative reservation arrangements made and that you did not have to disappoint your young one...that would be the worst! Losing the money is painful; disappointing the little ones is insupportable!

I have nothing as yet to report except some renewed peace of mind...the necessary steps have been taken to hold this person accountable. Whether they work or not in terms of getting my money back remains to be seen. They will make it immeasurably more difficult, if not impossible, for this person to "strike again" and that is worth something.

The people here on Disboards, with their unstinting moral support and generosity of both spirit and "goods" (both Stacey and I have (and will continue to) decline those very generous monetary and points offers), have gone a long way towards my success in achieving some emotional equilibrium over this situation.

I'm sure you will be the beneficiary of all the good will on these boards, too, and that will also help you take what you can learn from the situation and also benefit from the clouds of pixie dust and warm good feelings that come with such unstintingly generous expressions of good will...

You have all my sympathy on the damage done to you, and hope you find the same "wonder" from the "magic" of the wonderful folks here on Disboards!

Dani

 

[OneMoreTry]

I rented a condo from someone at Xmas last year -- Orlando Vistana. I made him sign up for PayPal so I could pay him that way. In the end he was very happy because within minutes he had the money available!!

I feel like Paypal is pretty secure. What ARE the safest ways to pay/receive payment?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sally, here's some hugs and prayers for you too! I think if the "feds" are onto this woman now, she will have a difficult time striking anyone again. I just wish DVC could do something to stop her like take away a fruadulent membership etc.

Sally, Dani, or Stacey, have any of you thought about contacting DVC about this?

 

[Mich Mouse]

I am just perplexed at the deviant behavior of some people! Basic morals and character development were likely not instilled in these people.

Can someone please PM me the name of these offenders? I am planning on trying to rent some points and want to be absolutely sure that I am not delaing with the alleged perp.

Thanks