I was contacted in early July by phone. The person on the line asked if I owned a time share that was advertised for sale. I said yes. He asked if I still would like to sell it. I said yes. He identified the property which is in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. He stated that he was from American Star Investments. I told him that I wanted to be sure that they weren't in a some sort of scamming business. He gave me the business address and I googled it. Of course it came up in Blufton. After I had sent the money I found out that it was a virtual office. I contacted the owners of the building and they advised that the company had used the office for less than three months and had left owing money. I didn't know this till 60 days later. Prior to realizing that I had been scammed a guy who originally told me that he was Scott Baker. He was supposedly an attorney representing American Star and that there was one final step to finishing up our deal. I should go to a Bank of America and deposit another $2987 in an account which he gave me a number to. I advised him that my contract clearly stated that I was not obligated to any further charges and that the money I had spent would be refunded at the close. When I challenged it, he got angry and said I was "punking" him. When I began a barrage of calls to the number he stated that he was not Scott Baker but that his name was Larry Garfield. He didn't know a Scott Baker. I assured him that whoever he was, I would find him. I am in process of doing that now. He is in Orlando. According to the Florida Bar Association, he is not an attorney either. I want this group charged and convicted of fraudulent theft. Most agencies want you to go to small claims court because this amount is in that category. But this is out and out fraud and interstate theft.
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