Complaint Review: MARKITAS

I won an auction on eBay on 9/17/06. I paid for the cell phone I won through my PayPal account using my credit card. I then received an email from "Markita" telling me that she was sorry but she did not accept credit card payments and could I send her the money directly from my bank account. I was not happy, but I did it anyway on 9/20/06.

Days later, I still had not received the phone, so I decided to go to this person's website which was listed on the eBay ad. I found a phone number and called it. I left a message saying that I had not received my cell phone and I wanted to know when I could expect it. I did send several emails prior to this phone call. I received a voice mail message back from "Markita" apologizing profusely and telling me that she would email me a tracking number (never did) and that I should have the phone within three days.

It is now 10/6/06, and I still have not received my phone. I've left two more messages in the last two days with no response as well as sent several emails. I also left negative feedback on eBay, and as of today, this person is no longer a registered eBay user! argh! I've also filed a claim with PayPal. How can we stop these scam artists!

Thanks for any help you can give me in tracking down this person.

Heide
New Port Richey, Florida
U.S.A.