How can I get my deposit on a car back?

Hey guys, I have a quick question for everyone. I found a car for sale in the Dallas area and wire transferred the seller a deposit to hold the car until the weekend. He calls me Friday night saying he can't find the title (misplaced and somewhere in the boxes during their move). So, we agreed to call off the sale and he would return my deposit. It's been several weeks and he keeps giving me excuses (wrong account numbers, etc.). At this point, I think he is a scammer and I want to get my money back and catch him and keep him from doing this to others. What can I do at this point? Report to the Police? Thanks, DT

I don't think the police will get involved in a dispute like that. Who wired the money? Any backing from them? If not, send a registered letter to the person holding your money and have an attorney waiting in the wings.

How much money are you out? (If you don't mind)

Ouch! :-( I hope this is not one of those Nigerian scams! Lately I have been getting emails saying that I have Millions of dollars coming to me and I only need to put in a "small deposit" for them to hold the money until the armor truck show up at my front door!

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Originally Posted by gabkwong

Ouch! :-( I hope this is not one of those Nigerian scams! Lately I have been getting emails saying that I have Millions of dollars coming to me and I only need to put in a "small deposit" for them to hold the money until the armor truck show up at my front door!

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Oh ::Censor:: That's a scam! ::Blink::

chalk it up as a lesson learned and keep moving on towards something else, you will thank yourself later.

If it is a small deposit it will not pay to get an attorney. The police will be the last people to help you. I agree with Billy, learn and move on.

Whether or not the police will help you, it may be in your best interest to file a report. At least you will know if they're willing to get invoved. I also like sammm's idea of a registered letter and attorney. If somebody is breaking the law, they should be responsible for their actions. By doing nothing and claiming "lesson learned", the criminal doesn't learn his lesson.

Got a local phone number? Physical address?

Ya want we should maybe pay dis guy a friendly visit?;)

I say go over to his house and get a boot and put it on his car with a note that says, "Removal with a deposit refund +$200 for the trouble!"

See how fast he calls you back with the money in hand.

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Originally Posted by Radio-Active

I say go over to his house and get a boot and put it on his car with a note that says, "Removal with a deposit refund +$200 for the trouble!"

See how fast he calls you back with the money in hand.

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I fail to see how putting one of these on his car will do anything. ;)

http://www.jamescairdsociety.com/pix...all%20SPRI.jpg

Thanks for you responses. The seller's name is Bob Forson of Plano, TX. He was selling a white 1990 Miata for his father-in-law. I was going to use the car for autocrossing. :) I actually made a counter deposit into his account at the bank location for $500 as a deposit to hold the car. So, I have his name, bank account number, voice mails, and phone number. I think some of you are correct in that the amount is too small for the police to get involved with. I just hope he hasn't done this with others. Please avoid this guy and pass the word on to others. Does anyone have a contact at the Plano or Richardson Police where I can report this guy? Best regards, David Haha, nice boot; looks like it's been up someone's arse already

If he truely did loose the title and it was registered here in Texas, then he could easily get a replacement title from the state with the proper documentation of who he is and proof that it was titled to him to begin with. I had a manager at work loose her title and had to get one in order to sell her car. It does not take that much to do and doesn't cost that much.

If you have his account number, you could always make a set of checks up and leave them laying around various places for them to be found in say, South Dallas...::Banana::

Don't get caught!:rolleyes:

Nothing like putting down a deposit on a car without a receipt.

The police in the city in which the Seller lives or where you live should be more than interested in helping you.

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Originally Posted by mr brg

Nothing like putting down a deposit on a car without a receipt.

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I have the bank deposit receipt and voicemails from him. I should not have bought his bull about integrity and assurances, etc. Besides, he was from the Dallas area, not Nigeria. Maybe Dallas belongs on the same watch list as Nigeria. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by creek

The police in the city in which the Seller lives or where you live should be more than interested in helping you.

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I'll report it to the Plano Police Department. Maybe the seller was counting on the small amount slipping under the radar.

Did you drive to his house and ask for it in person? I'm not saying rough him up.....

Chris

I never considered going to his house because he can just lock himself inside and give more excuses. I'll leverage the Police. He may have done this to other people. If he sold the car to someone else while still holding my deposit, then there could be additional legal ramifications.

I would call the Police and see if they are interested.

If not this may be a civil matter.

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Originally Posted by Wittyfull

If he sold the car to someone else while still holding my deposit, then there could be additional legal ramifications.

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Not without a bill of sale which you should have got from him when you made that deposit.

Also have you talked to your bank you may be able to recall the wire transfer.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Not without a bill of sale which you should have got from him when you made that deposit.

Also have you talked to your bank you may be able to recall the wire transfer.

Good luck!

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Unfortunately, I received no receipt from him for the deposit. I have done this before with sellers in California and Florida with no problems.

Have you talked to your bank you may be able to recall the wire transfer.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

Have you talked to your bank you may be able to recall the wire transfer.

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No, I haven't. I actually made a counter deposit at his bank (where I have an account too). I was going to do an online transfer, but I didn't know my PIN, so I ended up going to the bank. I seriously doubt, the bank would reverse the deposit and I seriously doubt the money is still there.

I know people :rolleyes:

But seriously, I'd call the police.

I will report this guy to the police. I just did a background check on him and he is a piece of work - DWI, evading arrest, etc. If this is the same guy, then he was probably out to scam.

What did your bank say? Can they reverse the wire transfer or has to much time passed?

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

What did your bank say? Can they reverse the wire transfer or has to much time passed?

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He can request the return of the bank wire, but the receiving party must agree on the return of the funds.

ACH transfers are a little bit different. You only have 24 hours to request a return/dispute.

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Originally Posted by motorollow

He can request the return of the bank wire, but the receiving party must agree on the return of the funds.

ACH transfers are a little bit different. You only have 24 hours to request a return/dispute.

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Well that doesn't help...

I have reversed two transfers here at the world headquarters (aka work) and the bank has promptly processed my request.

I have reversed two transfers here at the world headquarters (aka work) and the bank has promptly processed my request.[/quote]


Were they bank wires or ACH payments?

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Originally Posted by motorollow

Were they bank wires or ACH payments?

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Wires

There was no wire transfer. He walked in to a branch with cash and the seller's account number, and gave both to the teller. It is gone, and he can't get it back from the bank.

If it were me, I would file a report with Plano PD, and then send the seller a certified letter stating that you will be filling a case in small claims court if the money is not returned in x days. No money, then it is off to Small Claims court you go. Looks like it costs $27 to file.

At this point, it is a matter for the police and small claims court. The bank cannot do anything about it. I have some friends of friends who are police officers in Dallas and Houston.