mail fraud links and information
cdchanger
Posts: 100
The USPS form can be filed online or printed and mailed.
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm
You can read the statutes on GOOGLE: "mail fraud statutes"
The fraud happens when the act that would constitute the fraud is contemplated
to be committed. A fake auction that relies on receipt of funds by mail meets
the statutory meaning, EVEN if the buyer discovers the fraud before the money
is mailed to the fraudster. (This means that an auction site could - and should -
act when it is put on notice of "an ongoing attempt to defraud a consumer." The
Federal Trade Commission is going to have to explain that to some of the big
auction sites REAL SOON.)
cher
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm
You can read the statutes on GOOGLE: "mail fraud statutes"
The fraud happens when the act that would constitute the fraud is contemplated
to be committed. A fake auction that relies on receipt of funds by mail meets
the statutory meaning, EVEN if the buyer discovers the fraud before the money
is mailed to the fraudster. (This means that an auction site could - and should -
act when it is put on notice of "an ongoing attempt to defraud a consumer." The
Federal Trade Commission is going to have to explain that to some of the big
auction sites REAL SOON.)
cher
0
Comments
If you are a lawyer, I would suggest that for every post that may be interpreted as legal advice, that it is not.
If you are not one, you should disclose it.
Just my $0.02
FTC information:
Dealing with this bureaucratic agency is a time eating process and it often seems like nothing is going to happen; then, suddenly, an announcement comes that the culprits have been nailed. FTC cases are built on cumulative complaints about frauds that affect - or might affect - large numbers of consumers. Copies of any local media coverage regarding complaints similar to your own are always appreciated by the FTC lawyers and their staff members.
YOU DO NOT have to be a "personal victim" of the fraud that you complain about. If you mail a complaint, send it directly to one/all of the Commissioners, and/or to the "staff attorney" handling similar cases. You can find a list of all the players on the FTC site.
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FTC Guide For Buyers and Sellers...
Where to Turn for Help
If you have problems during an online auction transaction, try to work them out directly with the seller, buyer or site operator. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with:
The attorney general's office in your state.
Your county or state consumer protection agency.
The FTC. File a complaint online at www.ftc.gov or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet fraud and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.