Scammed by a Small Business - Where to Go?

Nathan1994 on 18/02/2022 - 19:22
Last edited 18/02/2022 - 20:34 by 1 other user

Hi all, I have been scammed by a small business and I'm not sure where to go.

Having previously dealt with this company, decided to use them again. The first transaction was a pickup, cash transaction. Whilst bank transfer was offered, we suggested cash as we were picking up, makes sense. That transaction went smoothly.

A year or so later and we decided to use him again. Communication great back and fourth, and he said items are in stock ready to ship. Large items, pallet racking. Received a tax invoice, bank transferred just under $2000, and was sent a payment receipt within the hour. I have had zero communication from this person since. Tried different phone numbers, rings out to voicemail. Location of business, nobody is there.

What do I do from here? Can the bank assist or is there somewhere else to go? Not sure if it's worth the police's time? Might be simple but never been down this route. You try and support a small business in these times and this is what you get. Unreal.

Am in Victoria.

Appreciate any advice that can be offered.

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  holdenmg on 18/02/2022 - 19:27

  +1

  Read your story.

  Most of it focuses on the fact situation of the second transaction and the payment.

  You don't state that you or they arranged transport.

  Is it possible that based on the first pickup transaction, they thought you would arrange to collect or have a freight company collect.

  • 

    Nathan1994 on 18/02/2022 - 19:28

    Sorry I should've clarified. We paid $100 for shipping. Before payment was advised it would be delivered on the Monday (paid on Friday).

    • 

      holdenmg on 18/02/2022 - 19:31

      Maybe Freight is affected by Covid, probably in a warehouse somewhere or misdelivered.

      What does your bank say?

      • 

        Nathan1994 on 18/02/2022 - 19:36

        Its a one man band. We were told items were in stock ready to go prior to payment. No communication for 5 business days. Upon just having a look on his Facebook page (found through business), people have commented scammer ect on his personal photos.

        Haven't called bank. Sent him an email+text today advising to make contact today or further action be taken. I'm now here wondering what that further action is :D

        • 

          holdenmg on 18/02/2022 - 19:40

          @Nathan1994: search the ABN?
          https://abr.business.gov.au/

          Bank might assist, go see them with Purchase Order/Tax Invoice and Bank Statement.

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  Jimothy Wongingtons on 18/02/2022 - 19:58

  Is he far away? Maybe rock up? We had a client not pay us for ages on account- turned out the misso walked out, his mum was sick with cancer and he had some of his clients declared bankruptcy or just skipped town.

  edit I see you did go check

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  JimmyF on 18/02/2022 - 20:18

  I have had zero communication from this person since. Tried different phone numbers, rings out to voicemail. Location of business, nobody is there.

  How long are you talking here that you have been chasing them for?

  As if no one is at the business, then it would explain why no one is answering the phones etc. If its a week, then could just be covid ;)

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  derrida derider on 18/02/2022 - 20:24

  Maybe a long firm. It's about the oldest con ever.

  • 

    CrowReally on 18/02/2022 - 21:50

    ?

    Long firm is businessman establishes trustworthy reputation with who they buy off, uses it to get credit to buy more from wholesaler, disappears with merch.

    This is businessman establishes trustworthy reputatation with who they sell to, gets a prepayment for deliverying an item, disappears with cash.

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  bemybubble on 19/02/2022 - 05:45

  Small business ombudsman

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  Sweet3st on 19/02/2022 - 17:27

  Magistrates Court.