Sad Story from One Who Trusted without Checking!

[alldiz]

been following this thread...

so happy with the ending.....

sounds like peace of mind has been had all around

a happy and healthy holidays to everyone
peace
kerri

 

[JimMIA]

Before we all go too overboard with rejoicing over Aunt E making Stacey whole, we should recognize that she did nothing she was not compelled to do.

I'm glad she finally fulfilled her promise to the police, but it wasn't like she just shot off a check. It took more than a month, and it was only after repeated follow-up phone calls from the detective Stacey was working with. When she became convinced he and Stacey were not going away, she did the minimum she had to do to keep her niece out of jail. I am convinced that she would not have paid a penny to anyone without the determined persistence of the detective. In fact, she dragged her feet so much she came perilously close to becoming a criminal subject herself.

She is also very well aware of Dani's situation (Dani and Stacey have both talked to her), and she has not made any effort to resolve that situation. She has not made any offer to make Dani whole...despite the fact that it would not cost her one additional penny to do so.

She's just an Aunt -- not an angel.

 

[rinkwide]

...She's just an Aunt -- not an angel.

Funny, that's also the catch-phrase for a new Fran Drescher sitcom rolling out this spring.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Jim: Thanks for the reality check.

Do we have any updates on the other individuals that came forward once they realized this thread was about the same person they were dealing with? Also, was it ever determined as to whether or not there was criminal intent from the beginning, or if things just kind of spiraled out of control?

 

[monami7]

Dani please igmnore my PM I had not finished reading. So happy it was all resolved.
Heidi

 

[3DisneyKids]

Before we all go too overboard with rejoicing over Aunt E making Stacey whole, we should recognize that she did nothing she was not compelled to do.

I'm glad she finally fulfilled her promise to the police, but it wasn't like she just shot off a check. It took more than a month, and it was only after repeated follow-up phone calls from the detective Stacey was working with. When she became convinced he and Stacey were not going away, she did the minimum she had to do to keep her niece out of jail. I am convinced that she would not have paid a penny to anyone without the determined persistence of the detective. In fact, she dragged her feet so much she came perilously close to becoming a criminal subject herself.

She is also very well aware of Dani's situation (Dani and Stacey have both talked to her), and she has not made any effort to resolve that situation. She has not made any offer to make Dani whole...despite the fact that it would not cost her one additional penny to do so.

She's just an Aunt -- not an angel.

Thanks for the update, Jim. Though I am thrilled that Stacey got her money back, I am still just FRIED about this! Why on Earth would the aunt, who is the owner, drag her feet over something like this once the police were involved?!?! Unbelievable!

Since the aunt has to had to pay-up for the dishonest neice, I hope she washes her hands of DVC altogether and sells her contract to an honest family.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

so glad something good came out of this and I hope you guys have a good holidays
i wish dani got her $ back to and the others but understand her reasons for letting it go at this point

 

[manning]

I'm finding it hard to believe the aunt didn't know!!

 

[tor]

I'm finding it hard to believe the aunt didn't know!!

I agree.

 

[JimMIA]

Do we have any updates on the other individuals that came forward once they realized this thread was about the same person they were dealing with?

I have only heard a little bit from Joe and Sally very early on in the saga, and nothing in quite a while. I'm not aware of any actions they have taken, except that I know Joe initially went to his local police and got no response. I understand why he got no help -- because there were 41 points actually transferred to his account and that makes it a civil matter, not criminal.

Also, was it ever determined as to whether or not there was criminal intent from the beginning, or if things just kind of spiraled out of control?

That, I think, depends on which specific case you are talking about, and it is also difficult to tell for sure without subpoening the account and exploring the account history.

In Heather Vogel's case, clearly there was no criminal intent, because Heather's ressie went through and was completed satisfactorily.

In Dani's case, it's hard to say that criminal intent was there from the start, but it's quite clear that it was there as soon as Dani paid her the $800 deposit. She was supposed to transfer points and she didn't. When Dani requested a refund, she came up with a silly story about needing to rent 160 points to be able to pay Dani back -- which was obviously a blatant lie. From that point forward, Dani's case was a clear-cut criminal slam dunk.

Stacey's case was fraud from the very beginning. She took Stacey's deposit, and claimed to have made a ressie. When questioned, she gave Stacey a confirmation number. The confirmation number was indeed a good number, but it was for another family and had nothing to do with Stacey. She finally sent Stacey a text message saying she'd cancelled the ressie because Stacey called her too many times. There never was a ressie in Stacey's name -- another slam dunk.

I don't have enough facts on Sally's case to tell for sure, but my gut feeling is that Sally's case was identical to Stacey's. Fraud from the start.

I also think -- but can't prove -- that the other two attempts (the people who did not send her any money) were totally fraudulent from the start.

 

[icydog]

JimMIA
"She is also very well aware of Dani's situation (Dani and Stacey have both talked to her), and she has not made any effort to resolve that situation. She has not made any offer to make Dani whole...despite the fact that it would not cost her one additional penny to do so. "

I have been following this tread for a long time now. I thought I understood it all but may have missed something. Why exactly would it not cost the Aunt one additional penney?




JimMIA "In Dani's case, it's hard to say that criminal intent was there from the start, but it's quite clear that it was there as soon as Dani paid her the $800 deposit. She was supposed to transfer points and she didn't. When Dani requested a refund, she came up with a silly story about needing to rent 160 points to be able to pay Dani back -- which was obviously a blatant lie. From that point forward, Dani's case was a clear-cut criminal slam dunk.

Stacey's case was fraud from the very beginning. She took Stacey's deposit, and claimed to have made a ressie. When questioned, she gave Stacey a confirmation number. The confirmation number was indeed a good number, but it was for another family and had nothing to do with Stacey. She finally sent Stacey a text message saying she'd cancelled the ressie because Stacey called her too many times. There never was a ressie in Stacey's name -- another slam dunk."


I know that we are not suppose to be naming names but how is anyone to know who this person is if we don't inform everyone. What's to stop her from continuing to rob from our fellow members? I see lots of the folks on this tread know of whom we are speaking but I for one am in the dark.

I want to add my sincere good wishes to both of the folks who got robbed by this woman. I know the ordeal was not easy but your tenacity paid off. I am glad you found a friendship out of this ordeal. That will be worth more in her lifetime than the cash Dani lost. Congratulations to you both for a battle well fought and won!!!

 

[disneykidatheart]

JimMIA
"She is also very well aware of Dani's situation (Dani and Stacey have both talked to her), and she has not made any effort to resolve that situation. She has not made any offer to make Dani whole...despite the fact that it would not cost her one additional penny to do so. "

I have been following this tread for a long time now. I thought I understood it all but may have missed something. Why exactly would it not cost the Aunt one additional penney?


She could give Dani restitution by transferring her points into Dani's account--now or as soon as she has points available. Dani paid her $800. I wonder if she could enjoy a trip to WDW knowing that the points being used rightfully belong to another member.

 

[dianeschlicht]

WOW! Go to WDW for a few days, and look what happens! So glad "auntie" came through for you, Stacey, but I agree, she should also come through for Dani as well. I really have my doubts that the aunt is completely faultless in any of this. She certainly knew about the point usage by her niece. Now I hope Disney does their part and puts a watch on her contract!

 

[JimMIA]

JimMIA
"She is also very well aware of Dani's situation (Dani and Stacey have both talked to her), and she has not made any effort to resolve that situation. She has not made any offer to make Dani whole...despite the fact that it would not cost her one additional penny to do so. "

I have been following this tread for a long time now. I thought I understood it all but may have missed something. Why exactly would it not cost the Aunt one additional penney?


She could give Dani restitution by transferring her points into Dani's account--now or as soon as she has points available. Dani paid her $800. I wonder if she could enjoy a trip to WDW knowing that the points being used rightfully belong to another member.

That's exactly right. In fact, she offered to transfer points for Stacey, but Stacey declined that option specifically so that it would still be available to Dani later. (We would have to designate an account for the points to go into since Stacey is not a DVC owner, but that could have been done.)

 

[JimMIA]

I know that we are not suppose to be naming names but how is anyone to know who this person is if we don't inform everyone. What's to stop her from continuing to rob from our fellow members? I see lots of the folks on this tread know of whom we are speaking but I for one am in the dark.

I understand your concern, but the rules are the rules. The most we can do under the DIS rules is to let people run names by us to see if they might be dealing with this person. I've had a number of inquiries, and so far none of them have been this person.

The fact is, it is not the DIS's responsibility to police rentals and to ensure the integrity of people using the R/T boards. The principle of "Caveat Emptor" is very much in effect, and it is the responsibility of both parties to protect themselves.

All of us who were directly involved in this situation have repeatedly said that the DIS response was more than any of us expected, but we have to take care of ourselves -- not depend on someone else.

In truth, nobody else can protect the parties in a rental if they don't do it themselves.

 

[tor]

I understand your concern, but the rules are the rules. The most we can do under the DIS rules is to let people run names by us to see if they might be dealing with this person. I've had a number of inquiries, and so far none of them have been this person.

The fact is, it is not the DIS's responsibility to police rentals and to ensure the integrity of people using the R/T boards. The principle of "Caveat Emptor" is very much in effect, and it is the responsibility of both parties to protect themselves.

All of us who were directly involved in this situation have repeatedly said that the DIS response was more than any of us expected, but we have to take care of ourselves -- not depend on someone else.

In truth, nobody else can protect the parties in a rental if they don't do it themselves.

I agree it is not the DIS's responsibility but is it prudent for them to continue to knowingly allow that person to use this forum to perpitrate additional crimes? At some point it would seem to be aiding the criminal by protecting that persons identity.

 

[JimMIA]

I agree it is not the DIS's responsibility but is it prudent for them to continue to knowingly allow that person to use this forum to perpitrate additional crimes? At some point it would seem to be aiding the criminal by protecting that persons identity.

This has been kind of a recurring theme throughout this thread. However, as far as I know, this feared activity has not occurred.

I am very confident the DIS would never knowingly allow the crook to continue to use the R/T board. I think the DIS has done everything the technology permits them to do, and I do not think the person has participated in the R/T Board for quite some time.

I understand the concerns -- and the concerns are legitimate -- but I do not think the reality matches the "What if's."

 

[mikesmom]

I agree it is not the DIS's responsibility but is it prudent for them to continue to knowingly allow that person to use this forum to perpitrate additional crimes? At some point it would seem to be aiding the criminal by protecting that persons identity.

I don't think it would do any good to block this person or even post their name. All they would have to do is come back on the site with a new user name. Yes, the name of the owner of the points would be the same, but in at least one case the victim never saw that name as the perpetrator took the money in advance and never made the ressie. This could be done repeatedly. There is no real defense against someone who intends to be dishonest, EXCEPT for caution and care.

 

[tor]

This has been kind of a recurring theme throughout this thread. However, as far as I know, this feared activity has not occurred.

I am very confident the DIS would never knowingly allow the crook to continue to use the R/T board. I think the DIS has done everything the technology permits them to do, and I do not think the person has participated in the R/T Board for quite some time.

I understand the concerns -- and the concerns are legitimate -- but I do not think the reality matches the "What if's."

I am glad to here that they are doing everything possible to prevent reoccurrance, but we wouldn't know that without the what ifs.

 

[chris1gill]

I went away for ten days & come back to some pretty good news Stacey, I'm so glad you got your money back, that is wonderful...

Dani, I'm hoping that after the Hoiday's you will reconsider & step up your efforts to get money or points back.... Don't let them get away with what they (the PP & Aunt) have done... the Aunt is not faultless here....

If I were the Aunt & I had the police calling me for criminal fraud, I think I would go out of my way to make things right in all regards, it's unbelievable the Aunt did not do this & stalled off as long as she could....

I'd still like to see the PP charged with criminal fraud... make her think twice before ever doing this again....