[paypal_woes]

My understanding is that the US Postal Inspection Service is the only police agency with jurisdiction over this. I did report it via their website immediately[1], which said that there would be a later opportunity to provide documentation if and when a criminal investigation were actually opened -- but that did not happen.

I will try to report it to the local police as well, I suppose. I will stop by later today.

[1] Immediately, meaning immediately upon learning of the fraud, which, thanks to PayPal's negligence and incompetence, was about 4 weeks after the fraud actually occurred.

[pengaru]

The thing is, many institutions won't take you seriously until the police are involved and there's at least a case number.

It demonstrates a willingness on your part to expose yourself to local law enforcement.

Having not done that, it implies you're possibly in on the fraud, and just shaking a money tree opportunistically to see if you can double your money. PayPal doesn't know you're not the person who cashed the check using a fake identity, or co-conspirator.

Involving the police doesn't guarantee a better outcome, but it improves the odds in my experience.

You really should have contacted them the moment you were informed of the fraud IMHO.

[paypal_woes]

The USPIS is police, and I did contact them immediately. They did not seem to take any interest, however.