A DFW business took your money and vanished. Doors locked, phone disconnected, website down. Here's the action plan.
Step 1: Verify they're actually gone
- Check Texas Secretary of State (sos.state.tx.us) — business entity status
- Check for bankruptcy filings (PACER: pacer.gov — federal bankruptcy court records)
- Google their address — is another business there now?
Step 2: File complaints
- Texas AG Consumer Protection: texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection
- BBB: bbb.org/file-a-complaint
- TDLR (if licensed profession): tdlr.texas.gov/complaints
- FTC (if online business): reportfraud.ftc.gov
Step 3: Pursue recovery
- Credit card chargeback: If you paid by credit card, file a chargeback under the Fair Credit Billing Act. You have 60 days from the statement date. Source: 15 U.S.C. 1666.
- Small claims court: Texas Justice Court handles claims up to $20,000. Filing fee is $54-75. You can sue the business AND the individual owner if they operated without proper corporate protection.
- Piercing the corporate veil: If the owner was operating as an LLC but commingling personal and business funds, you may be able to pursue their personal assets. An attorney consultation is worth it for amounts over $5,000.
Step 4: Criminal route
- If they took payment with no intention of delivering services, that's theft of service (Texas Penal Code 31.04). File a police report.
RECEIPTS REQUIRED: Document the business name, address, owner name (from SOS filing), amount paid, service promised, and all communication. Screenshots, receipts, contracts.
Sources:
- Texas Secretary of State — business entity search
- PACER — federal bankruptcy records
- Fair Credit Billing Act (15 U.S.C. 1666)
- Texas Penal Code 31.04
- Texas AG Consumer Protection
Credit card chargeback is your strongest tool. This is why you never pay a business with Zelle, Venmo, or cash.
Is it just me?