Defrauded of prepayment. What are my options?
I need some advice, as I'm running up against a wall. The background is that we had trailer storage arranged on private property near my house, it was convenient, and we "had" a good relationship with the person providing the storage. This had been ongoing for 3 years, and we always paid up front, and we were always accommodating with any movements required, etc. This property is on a parcel that was slated for development, and had been for as long as we had known. We were very aware of this fact, and so was he. We discussed it regularly, whenever we went to pay as well as in emails. We knew it would end eventually, that's no big deal. We always paid with cheque, memo'd the reason on there, and had emails outlining the arrangement we had agreed upon.
The years that we followed were February to February, paying for the year in January. This year, like every other time we discussed the payment, we discussed the area plan, and whether any news had been heard. There as no action near the site, and it was a 3-5 year plan that (Truman) had in place for it. Fast forward to the first week of May, we have a voice mail from the guy telling us we had to move the trailer by the weekend, that the developer is moving equipment in and that we couldn't stay. Well, fine no big deal, so we contact him and say sure we will be by and move it, so what can we arrange to have the remainder of the year repayed to us (60/month, 720/yr, so $550 to be returned). He starts in on how they sprung this on him, and that he isn't prepared to take the loss, and that they have him now having to find a place to live. In these conversations it was clear he has no intent on paying back, instead essentially stealing the money from us, and went so far as to hang up mid conversation, refuse to answer calls (I called him later with an ID block, and he was unaware it was me until the story came up and once again, hung up and refused to answer further), doesn't respond to emails, text messages, nor answering his door. I was one of 7 trailers on the property, so I know I'm not the only one involved, but have no way of knowing who else is affected by this. We moved to another storage facility, and of course would like to use the money to pay for the partial year there.
Now, we know he was renting the property, not owning it. We know he was collecting the money without a business licence, without claiming taxes on the income. I have spoken to a lawyer, provided all of the documents, the cheque copies, correspondence, etc and it is in our favor. The problem is, it costs more to pursue the money, than to leave it.
This is where it rubs me the wrong way. How can a person essentially steal (I use fraud because it was paid for a service that is no longer being provided without mutual termination of the agreement) $550, and basically get away with it without any real recourse? By just not answering or ignoring every attempt to contact? Why is it that easy?
So I'm asking advice, because I'm unsure what to do. To me, there should be no reason that Police couldn't get involved with a door knock and discussion, afterall that's what they are there for, but I am not confident that I will be told it is not a police matter. Report to the CRA? To the city? This individual is a business owner here in Calgary, although not a very thriving one, its indicated as moved on Google but his voice mail still uses his business name.
Any advice on recourse is appreciated
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Originally Posted by TurboMedic
