Complaint Review: Matt Lerner Hot Chili Peppers Collectibles Beach Smells Coins

On Feb 20, 2009, I wired Matt Lerner $11,800.00 into his Middletown Valley Bank (in Maryland) account to pay for $1000.00 face value pre-1965 90% silver quarters and dimes.

It is now March 25, 2009 and Matt has not ret'd my phone calls or emails. On March 10th Matt called me and said he was having issues with his shipping dept. I have not heard from him since.

His eBay store is currently shut down. In 1999 his Mom helped 13 year old Matt open his eBay store. They managed a 99.3% positive feedback rating on 2537 transactions. In 2007 they had sales of $900,000.00. The source for this info is an article Matt has posted on his usacoinshop.com website from an interview with Entrepreneur Magazine in 1997.

Matt is now 23 years old. He has dark hair and a medium build, approx 5"-10" Caucasian. I am planning on posting wanted posters with this description in the town where he does his banking and the town where he has his drop-off consignment shop. He has concealed the physical (street) location of his place of business.

I will offer a $1000.00 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Matt Lerner and his Mom for return of my cash or coins.

I first contacted Matt through eBay and he said he could cut me a better deal if I purchased coins outside the eBay/PayPal system.

I had placed my first order for $1000.00 face value 90% coins on Feb. 11, 2009. This order arrived two weeks later. It was then I placed a second order with Matt (on Feb 20th). Sometime after I placed the second order, his 10 year old eBay store was closed. You can still read his feedback ratings through the Beach Smells Coins link on eBay.

I don't know what happened to Matt. I have called, written and emailed Matt. I asked him if he's okay. Have you had a car accident, Matt? Not a word back, though someone is checking his phone messages because sometimes the phone mail box is full and sometimes it is not.

I believe his Mom is still actively involved in his business and am planning on taking legal action against him, his Mom and Middletown Valley Bank who received and distributed the funds. I will also take proof of the wire transfer and file a report of theft/fraud with the Middletown, MD police dept. I am currently interviewing attorneys to determine the best course of action.

The 888 phone number I put in the fax line is actually his main business line.
The 301 is his cell.

Jim
Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.