How do I get my money back from a contractor who ghosted me?

Short Answer: We cannot guarantee a refund, but we do guarantee public accountability.

Detailed Answer: We are currently running a pilot program to test a simple hypothesis: Does public visibility lead to faster resolutions? Ghosting usually happens when a contractor feels they can disappear without consequence. By transforming your experience into a verifiable, high-ranking public record, we ensure their professional reputation stays linked to their performance. Our goal is to see if bringing these issues into the light encourages contractors to return to the table and settle their debts.

What does this cost?

For the current Recovery Pilot group: $0.

We are waiving our standard drafting fees (typically $19.95 – $89.95) for the next 30 homeowners. We are doing this because we want to build a dataset of how often these reports lead to financial recovery.

In exchange for us building, hosting, and optimizing your report for free, we simply ask that you keep us updated on the result—specifically, if the pressure forces them to pay you.

What if the subject responds?

1. They share their side (The Denial) If they send a calm, factual response with evidence, we may publish it alongside your report clearly labeled as their response. This ensures the public record is fair and complete.

2. They send threats or legal letters (The Intimidation)If the response is mostly threats, abuse, or vague "cease and desist" demands, we do not remove the report. We review their claims for genuine factual errors and correct them if necessary, but we stand by the truth and do not silence you based on bullying.

3. They offer to settle: Often, the pressure of a permanent public record brings them back to the table. If they offer a refund, repairs, or a settlement, you handle that directly—we do not touch your money.

Once you confirm the issue is resolved, we will update your report to show "Resolved/Settled." The report remains published, but it now carries a prominent banner proving your victory and their accountability.

What if they agree to pay, but demand I delete the report?

This is a common negotiation point. While DisputeVoice generally does not "delete" factual history, we do update reports to reflect "Resolved" or "Settled" immediately upon proof of payment.

This actually protects you: If the contractor knows the report is merely "updated" rather than "deleted," they are less likely to bounce a check or default on the settlement, because they know the report is still live and can be updated again if they fail to pay.

Who can I write about? (And who is best for the Pilot?)

You can write about an individual or company involved in a specific transaction or situation where you believe you were financially harmed—and where you can provide credible supporting evidence.

We don’t publish doxxing, threats, hate, or unrelated personal attacks. We focus on documented events, timelines, and what can be supported.

What proof do I need to report a contractor scam?

You don’t need a mountain of documents. You do need enough proof to support what you’re saying.

Helpful evidence can include:

• Contracts or estimates
• Invoices, receipts, or payment confirmations
• Emails, texts, or messages
• Credit card or bank statements, canceled checks, or Zelle/Venmo records
• Photos or videos of work performed and resulting damage
• Court filings, inspection reports, or official letters (if you have them)

You don’t need all of these. Even a few strong pieces can be enough. We review what you submit for basic credibility and let you know if it’s solid—or if you’ll need more. We may redact sensitive personal data before publishing.

If the evidence isn’t credible or the story can’t be supported, we won’t publish it.

Can I report a bad contractor anonymously?

Yes. You can publish under your full name, initials, or a pseudonym (for example, “Consumer A”).

We verify your identity privately and review your supporting materials, but you control what name appears publicly. Anonymity can reduce risk, but no public posting can guarantee that details won’t allow someone to infer identity.

How long does it take to publish my story?

Timelines vary, but here’s the typical flow:

• Same day: You submit your story and upload evidence.
• Initial review: We check your submission against our publishing standards. Simple cases can move quickly; complex cases take longer.
• Draft + approval: We prepare a draft report for your review. Nothing is published without your approval.
• If evidence needs work: We’ll tell you what’s missing or weak and give you a chance to improve it.
• Right-of-reply window: After your approval, we typically notify the subject and give them a 72-hour response window.
• Publish: After the response window (or sooner if appropriate), your report goes live with any relevant status notes.

In short, if your evidence is strong and you move quickly, you can get approved fast—the main built-in delay is the fairness window we give the other side.

Do I have to file with the FTC, IC3, my state’s Attorney General, or the BBB?

No. It’s not required—but we often recommend it.

Those channels can help regulators track patterns. If you’ve filed complaints, we can include that in the timeline (and link to confirmations if you have them).

Is it too late to file a complaint against a contractor?

. One year ago or ten years ago—it can still be publishable as long as you can provide credible supporting evidence and the subject has current contact information.

Older incidents can be challenging to document. We may request clearer records.

What if the subject responds?

There are a few common outcomes:

1) They share their side with evidence
If they send a calm, relevant response with documents, dates, or proof, we may publish it alongside your report, clearly labeled as their response.

2) They send a hostile reply
If the response is mostly threats, abuse, or harassment, we may decline to publish it. If there’s a factual core worth including, we may publish a shortened, calmer version that sticks to relevant points.

3) They offer to refund, repair, or settle
That’s between you and them—DisputeVoice doesn’t negotiate or handle money. If something meaningful changes (refund issued, work completed, judgment entered, etc.), we can add a dated update so the public record reflects the outcome.

4) They send a cease-and-desist or lawyer letter
We review it carefully. If it identifies genuine factual errors or verifiable issues, we correct or clarify. If it’s vague, unsupported, or simply demands silence, we follow our corrections policy and proceed based on verifiable facts.

Can I take the report down if the contractor pays me back?

We generally prefer updates over deletion.

If the situation changes (refund, settlement, completion, judgment), we can add a clear status update. We may remove or retract content in narrow situations, such as:

• verified material errors,
• privacy/safety issues (e.g., sensitive personal data), or
• a valid court order.

What if a settlement happens and they demand “no publication”?

DisputeVoice is not a party to private settlements between a consumer and a subject. If a dispute resolves, we can reflect that with a dated update (for example: “Resolved” or “Settlement reached—terms confidential,” if that’s accurate).

How do corrections and clarifications work?

We take accuracy seriously. If you believe something in a report is wrong, email us with:

• the report URL,
• the exact statement you dispute,
• what you believe is accurate instead, and
• supporting documents if available.

We review, and if we confirm a material error, we correct or clarify and note the update date. (See our full Corrections & Clarifications Policy.)

What if the client later withdraws or changes their story?

If a client says they no longer stand by a material claim, we may pause publication, label the report “Under Review,” and request documentation. If credibility collapses or a material claim can’t be supported, we may retract or revise the report to prevent publishing false information.

Can I see other dispute stories?

Yes. As reports are published, they’ll appear in our public library. We also provide sample reports so you can see the format before you submit.