Got Ripped Off on Web? Fight Back!

By Stephen Bucaro

I find that most people and businesses on web are friendly and honest. Unfortunately, a few decide to take dishonest route. Did you pay for a product or service and didn't receive it, or it didn't turn out to be what you expected? Did you provide a product or service and didn't get paid?

In this article, I'm going to provide you a step-by-step method to force dishonest individuals or businesses on Web to deal with you fairly, or at least how to cause them so much pain that they wish they had. How many of these steps you actually take depends upon how mad you are and how much time you want to dedicate to extracting revenge.

Step 1. Gather as much information about dishonest party as you can. Get names, addresses and phone numbers. Dishonest parties like to make themselves scarce.

Step 2. Put your complaint in writing. Be accurate and honest. Don't exaggerate or make false accusations. Also, think of any possible excuses dishonest party might use, and prepare counter arguments.

Step 3. Inform dishonest party that you intend to take action against them if they do not solve problem equitably and honestly, and that that action will include charges of criminal fraud. Give them a chance to figure out that it would be much easier for them to just be honest. Contact them several times and give them ample time to resolve problem, because after this things really get nasty.

Step 4. Go to Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) website (www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp) and click on "File a Complaint" link to fill out an online form. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) is a partnership between Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). IFCC provides a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil violation.

Step 5. Go to Internet Fraud Watch website (www.fraud.org/welcome.htm) and click on "Online complaint form" link. The Internet Fraud Watch was created by National Consumers League, oldest nonprofit consumer organization in United States.

Step 6. Go to Better Business Bureau OnLine website. (www.bbbonline.org/consumer) BBBOnLine is arm of Better Business Bureau that specifically deals with web sites. The BBB contacts business involved in dispute to see if they want to work it out amicably. When a company has a large file of complaints at BBB, it definitely cuts into their business.