I think I too was scammed by Catherine
Hello, This is my first post here. I joined this forum after I googled Catherine Kimball in fear I had been scammed. I responded to her Craigslist listing, which has now been removed by her. I simply told her we were experienced w/ tortoises and asked what her rehoming fee was.
This was her response:
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 4:32 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
I live in port richey, you can pick up if close by.Overnight shipping is free if you live too far.
Their only $35.00 each. They go for about $160.00 online including shipping. But because I dont charge for shipping, the $35.00 will cover that. I dont mind shipping overnight through a reptile carrier, I will pay as its not much if you can't pick up.
As long as they go to a good home thats my only concern.
Thank you for your interest.
I then told her thanks, I would love one, but I don't want to ship in this heat. I'm in Panhandle. She emailed back:
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
Hi, I ship for free in a reptile carrier with ventialtion through overnight shipping with fedex, a cold pack is included and popcorn for security, I have done this and the tortoises are very safe this way.
A money order will be good, it is safe as long as you send it with delivery confirmation at the post office (about 0.75 cents). Also, keep the receipt to the m/o so you can track it on line and make sure it will not get lost etc. This way for have buyer protection. Thank you for your interest.
I saved all the pictures to my file from her CL listing and emailed her back inquiring about the one in the front left corner.
Her response:
----- Original Message -----
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 7:40 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
Hi, I actually have all of these ones in the photos available icluding the one you like on the left..
I then told her I wanted him and provided her my address. She then replied:
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2010 8:24 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
Hi, yes, they are all cute, but that one is pretty unsual in color, he is the same one, I will save him for you, and also the friendliest.
Send to:
catherine kimball
9021 saint regis lane
port richey
florida 34668.
Yes monday will probably be the shipping day.
Thanks so much
I then sent her my U.S.P.S receipt and money order receipt.
Her response:
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2010 10:21 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
Hi Beth. Thanks so much, i will contact you as soon as I recieve it for a shipping date.Enjoy your new family member when he arrives.
Catherine.
I then emailed on the 14th to see if she received my money order. She emailed these back:
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
Hi, yes, thank you, I received it.
Its been a hectic few days lol but I promise I will ship to you within the next two days. Will someone be home on the morning of arrival to sign for the package?. I will contact you shortly with a shipping date. I also have to run to the pet store and pick up a reptile carrier and make sure of comfortability which is important, please bare with me...
Enjoy your new family.
Thanks so much Beth. Catherine.
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
Hi,yes, he will be shipped tomorrow, i will let you know tracking then. thank you beth.
From: C.K.
To: Beth
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:26 PM
Subject: Re: leopard tortoises.
hi, yes, the tracking is
0022 3275 0183 3399
recieve it tomorrow morn. thanks.
I then emailed her asking what mail service she used. I tried to find the tracking number w/ UPS, USPS and Fedex, but couldn't find it.
I tried two more emails inquiring about the tracking number w/ no response.
I then emailed this:
Hi Catherine,
Sorry to keep bothering you, but I'm getting concerned that I can't get in touch w/ you. I'm assuming maybe you went out this evening. I'm really bothered that I can't track this and would really like to hear from you as to what method you shipped by. You mentioned you ship Fedex, but they have no record of this tracking number.
Please contact me back. I'm really looking forward to this tortoise.
No response!
My last email was this:
Catherine,
I'm not sure why you're not responding to my emails. All I want to know is the proper tracking number on the tortoise I purchased from you, w/ receipt to prove it. I used a U.S. Postal Service money order and they take fraud involving U.S.P.S. money orders very seriously. Taking money fraudulently is criminal behavior. If this is a scam, and my tortoise isn't received tomorrow morning (6/17/10), I will be reporting you to law enforcement agencies. I have enough evidence to back me.
How do you sleep at night? I fell for a cute little baby from a picture you posted years ago, which I saved to file. I pray this is all a big mistake and a tortoise arrives tomorrow. I don't understand you not returning my emails. Is this fun for you to get people excited only to hurt them?
Beth
I know, call me gullible. I should know better. I'm in the process of reporting her. It's not the money I lost, it's the principle of her scamming people and she needs to be stopped.
I'd appreciate any advice on what to do next. I plan to go to the post office today and report her fraud and go from there.
Sorry my first post has to make me look like an idiot. I hope to share about my other tortoises & reptiles in the future.