Sad Story from One Who Trusted without Checking!

[StaceySaulino]

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I just wanted to check in and say that I agree with Dani's post. No news yet, but we are doing what we can. We'll be sure to let everyone know when we have news, but in the mean time - thanks for the continued support!! It mean so much!!

Stacey

 

[Granny]

Dani & Stacey...thanks for taking the time to post. I think we all know that it might be a long time, or never, until your situations are resolved. While the thread was started as a warning to renters of potential issues, it has clearly evolved to a large number of people empathizing with you and wishing you all the best for a positive resolution to the problems. Continued best wishes to you and your families.

 

[InstImpres]

It's not clear if the person in question even owns DVC. I check this thread every so often but I'd be surprised if the problem poster has any money to return.

Either she or her "aunt" does own DVC, as she did rent once and the person succesfully went and returned about 4-6 weeks ago.

 

[Lewisc]

Either she or her "aunt" does own DVC, as she did rent once and the person succesfully went and returned about 4-6 weeks ago.

I understand people think her aunt owns DVC but that doesn't mean that asset is available to pay the posters who got scammed.

 

[disneyfanfamily]

I have been reading this. Not all, about half. I actually fell upon it because I just decided to look into renting points, possibly, for the summer. This scares me, even though most go rentings go smoothly.

To those who have been scammed. I am so sorry! I would feel angry, and for lack of better words, just "yucky". We had someone ask for our account information at our bank one time - and the teller actually printed her a copy of our statement. Nothing happened to our money, but it sure made me feel disgusted. So I cannot even imagine.....

Again, I am so sorry.

 

[InstImpres]

I understand people think her aunt owns DVC but that doesn't mean that asset is available to pay the posters who got scammed.

I guess my point was either she owns or someone in her family does (unless of course she rented and than rerented the ressie). Hopefully when everything comes out either she or the family member will do the right thing,

 

[Sammie]

You could probably get a judgement to have the old washing machine that's rusting away out in front of her trailer seized and sold for scrap.

What does this have to do with anything that has happened concerning this situation, do you know she lives in a trailer.

If you don't then basically you made a very negative assumption that people who live in trailers are scammers.

I think we could have done without this comment.

 

[JudyS]

Wow, I just looked at this thread for the first time, and I am really sorry that this happened!

Also, it really bothers me that Western Union is used for so many scams, and doesn't seem to take any action to stop them. I hope word gets around of how dangerous Western Union transfer sare, but I also think Western Union should warn anyone who uses their money transfer service. My own opinion is that personal checks are best for transactions with strangers. I generally won't buy unless the seller takes either my check, or Paypal. And as a seller, in hundreds of sales that I have made on eBay, I have never gotten a bad check. It's a crime to intentionally write a bad check -- and since the person's name is right on the check, it is easy to track the offender down.

When a scam like this takes places on the DVC board, it hurts everyone here. I haven't read this whole thread, but is anyone taking up a collection to help out the people who were victimized by this scam? If we all donate a little (either money or points), perhaps we can provide the victims with the vacation that they lost.

 

[JimMIA]

Also, it really bothers me that Western Union is used for so many scams, and doesn't seem to take any action to stop them. I hope word gets around of how dangerous Western Union transfer sare, but I also think Western Union should warn anyone who uses their money transfer service. My own opinion is that personal checks are best for transactions with strangers.

The truth is, any form of payment is fine between honest buyers and sellers. And any form of payment can be used fraudulently by unscrupulous people. If people think Western Union and other money transmitters are bad...they sure don't want to hear some of the horror stories with cashier's checks and wire transfers!

It's a crime to intentionally write a bad check -- and since the person's name is right on the check, it is easy to track the offender down.

That's not the case everywhere, and the rub is proving intent. In Florida and many other states, bad checks are originally assumed to be non-criminal and only become criminal after the victim jumps through a number of hoops.

When a scam like this takes places on the DVC board, it hurts everyone here.

Yep, and that's why this thread has progressed for so many pages without very much dissension. The DIS community has been overwhelmingly supportive.

I haven't read this whole thread, but is anyone taking up a collection to help out the people who were victimized by this scam? If we all donate a little (either money or points), perhaps we can provide the victims with the vacation that they lost.

Yes, there have been a number of generous offers, all of which have been declined by the victims. If you read the whole thread you'll see several offers, and there have also been private offers. Dani's original intent in starting the thread was only to alert folks to the potential risks involved in these types of transactions, but the response has been much greater than I'm sure she expected because of the quality of the community we have here.

 

[the who #3]

i am the who#3, but i am not the person who scammed another. i certainly hope they catch him/her. it was a dirty deal, i think that is what the comment about the washing machine was all about.

if that person tries it again surely they will be caught. if you listen carefully to the messages in this thread you may find that the guilty person is also listening.

 

[tor]

My own opinion is that personal checks are best for transactions with strangers. I generally won't buy unless the seller takes either my check, or Paypal.

I don't really like using checks with strangers because not only do you give them your name and address but your account number too. What it really comes down to is that locks are to keep honest people honest because they seldom stop thieves.

 

[Granny]

I don't really like using checks with strangers because not only do you give them your name and address but your account number too.

I understand about the account number, but when I rented points I obtained the renters name, home address (no PO Box) and telephone number. I would never rent to someone who was not willing to provide that information.

As for the account number, I don't know that provides many people with much as I've written literally thousands of checks over the course of my life and have no idea how many people have seen my account number. I do, though, prefer cashiers' check or money order.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

What does this have to do with anything that has happened concerning this situation, do you know she lives in a trailer.

If you don't then basically you made a very negative assumption that people who live in trailers are scammers.

I think we could have done without this comment.

I took the comment as people who are willing to steal/scam are trash.

JM2C's

 

[Lady V]

I have been reading all of these posts and it makes me just sick. I have never cought anything from E-Bay becuase of these type of things. Pay pall protects the seller and only the seller.
I'm wondering though why no has set up a "escrow" type of business that accepts the $ from the seller and the proof of "item" delivered, be it a reservation or UPS deliver receipt for a physical item item. This would protect both parties and I would pay a transaction fee for the secutiry.

that is so true. I know a girl where I work and last Christmas she sold about 8 Xboxes on ebay or something like that and made over $1000 on each. She never had the items. She still has not gotten in trouble. She has a court date this Jan though. Let's hope justice prevails.

 

[diznyfanatic]

Originally Posted by Just Giddy
I have been reading all of these posts and it makes me just sick. I have never cought anything from E-Bay becuase of these type of things. Pay pall protects the seller and only the seller.

Not true.

Sellers are also very much at risk when dealing with unscrupulous buyers in all sorts of situations. Everything from buyers who falsely claim non-receipt of goods to scamming the seller with the old bait and switch routine where they purchase a mint condition item and then claim damage to the item upon arrival and send back an old, damaged duplicate item to the seller for a refund.

In fact, in the majority of cases, the buyer will win any dispute with PayPal, however, that doesn't mean PayPal can recover their funds if the account has been emptied by an unscrupulous seller.

If paying via a credit card through PayPal, buyers also at least have additional recourse through their credit card company. Sellers have no other recourse when scammed other than law enforcement if enough money is involved.

As has repeatedly been noted in this thread, buying or transacting with ANYONE (online OR in real life) where a significant amount of money is involved is probably not for people who aren't willing to do their homework first in order to minimize the risk.

Edited to add that my comments are in no way meant to sound unsympathetic to anyone, especially Dani and Staci, who have been scammed and I continue to offer my support and hope that this will be resolved somehow.

It is actually thanks to Dani's and Staci's stories and efforts that people in the DIS community have been trying to work together as a community to offer support and guidance to hopefully avoid any more of these situations from happening in the future.

This thread has provided many of us some valuable information on ways to protect ourselves from this type of fraud and that can be applied in all types of scenarios online or in real life.

 

[Sammie]

I took the comment as people who are willing to steal/scam are trash.

JM2C's

Which was my point, people who live in trailers are not all trash and to imply that is very rude.

 

[DMKEDM]

Stacey & I just talked talked...she will be posting very soon to tell you that she has gotten all of her money back...I'm SO happy she got her money back, and I'm equally happy that the dishonest person who ripped us both off has been stopped cold. Justice has been served.

I, however, have chosen to stop at this point. While I also might have been able to get my money back, it would require more high-stress commitment on my part, and I just don't want to revisit this sad situation. I started this thread way back when in order to highlight some "red flags" and "warning signs" in hopes that it might help someone else who might otherwise have been as impulsive as I was...it seems to me the thread has achieved that result...people are now aware.

Stacey & I just marvel at how we've both so benefitted from the caring and support from the people on these boards. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you all. I must also add special thanks to JimMIA, who's THE BEST...what a kind, helpful, caring person he is...and what a privilege to "know him" thru this mess. And Webmaster Doc took "helpfulness from the mods" to new heights. I thank him so much. And I'm thrilled-thrilled-thrilled that one unexpected byproduct of this sad situation is my new friendship w/Stacey...we both agree we're "friends forever" and that is the brightest of glittery silver linings. She even tried to share her repayment with me--I told her "no possible way"...but I'm heart-warmed by her offer. We truly do feel like we were in this together, and are each so glad the other is feeling good about the end of the story.

In short, for both Stacey and me, it's a happy ending to a sad story. Thank you all, so very much, for all your warm thoughts and caring messages. I hope each and every one of you has the very best holidays ever!

Dani

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

I wish both of you could get your money back but it is great that a friendship has evolved from this!! I also want to thank you for starting this thread because we are DVC members and rented extra points and we put a contract in place, etc. Thank you for the heads up!!

 

[InstImpres]

Dani -

While there is no money back for you it sounds like you are emotionally in a good place which is something no money can buy. Glad things worked out for Stacey. Thank you again for sharing your story and saving so many others.

Happy holidays

 

[lisaviolet]

Merry Christmas and and oh so Happy New Year to you Dani!!!!! To you too Stacey. And to both of your families. Happy to hear of progress made (ie. only "progress" b/c I wish you could get your money back as well)

All the best to you both,

Lisa