Harlequin Treats, Ltd. rip-off! Fraudulent, dishonest, con artist! Non-delivery! Chicago Illinois

Craig is not alone. An investigation into Walter Hoving (a/k/a Malcolm Claybourne, Susan Haack, Harlequin Treats, Wish Publications, CookbooksAndDrinks, Mary, Susan M. Haack, Walter Haack, etc.) reveals at least 30 victims of similar fraud. Typical amounts stolen range from $400 - $2000, and Hoving consistently makes excuses (such as family members dying or lying ill in the hospital) for delayed payments/shipments. He will also issue NSF checks or stop payment on refunds, in violation of state and federal statutes governing mail fraud.

The cycle is unending, and Hoving & Haack have been reported several times to the Chicago Better Business Bureau, the State's Attorney's Office, and other authorities. Hoving, an older man, relies on the sympathy of potential victims as his primary means of gaining confidence, and he is credited with sounding very believable. For one example, see Ripoff Report #107437 on this site.

His (and his alleged wife Susan's) typical scam involves taking items on consignment and later selling them without compensation to the original property owners. Other scams involve non-payment for goods purchased through auction sites (eBay, Craigslist and Yahoo!). See complete feedback listings at http://myworld.ebay.com/2284Susan and http://myworld.ebay.com/ticktockclockdoc .

His/her eBay names included: ticktockclockdoc, ticktokclockdoc and 2284susan. Other names surely exist that have not been terminated by eBay.

Emails will come from wattspotts@hotmail.com or imashiasakite@yahoo.com, but these change yearly. Likewise, phone numbers change every quarter, but include: 773-348-5650, 773-972-3413, 773-525-5730, 773-225-6448, 773-983-8661 and 773-510-3663.

Most if not all of Mr. Hoving's addresses will be in Chicago, Illinois, where he has been arrested and tried at least once by the state. He also frequents (as a vendor) antiques and collectibles venues such as Angela's Attic and Roscoe Mall in South Beloit, IL. We are withholding any address or physically identifying information of Mr. Hoving at this time for his safety.

Currently, Mr. Hoving advertises on Craigslist and possibly other regional websites, hawking wares of questionable origin and existence. He/she may abuse your contact information with sales solicitations, such as for 'Susie's Cookbook & Kitchen Helper' and 'Trixie's Definitive Drink Dictionary'.

Associated websites such as harlequintreats.com and cookbooksanddrinks.com were taken offline in 2006 and 2007. Hoving relies mostly on email and even more on phone contacts to conduct his scams, and he is persistent with potential 'customers'.

Mr. Hoving asked me to update my initial complaint, because it was hurting his business, and we had agreed that he would pay me back $200.00 per month until his debt was paid in full. He told me this story of himself getting ripped off, and that is why he "lost" my money. Because he had been making payments, I extended him an olive branch and udated my complaint. As soon as I made this update, Mr. Hoving stopped making payments. He can not be trusted! He lies, makes excuses, and gets angry if I demand my money! NEVER do business with Mr. Hoving or his wife, Susan Haack! On to Court!

Mr. Hoving asked me to update my initial complaint, because it was hurting his business, and we had agreed that he would pay me back $200.00 per month until his debt was paid in full. He told me this story of himself getting ripped off, and that is why he "lost" my money. Because he had been making payments, I extended him an olive branch and udated my complaint. As soon as I made this update, Mr. Hoving stopped making payments. He can not be trusted! He lies, makes excuses, and gets angry if I demand my money! NEVER do business with Mr. Hoving or his wife, Susan Haack! On to Court!

Mr. Hoving asked me to update my initial complaint, because it was hurting his business, and we had agreed that he would pay me back $200.00 per month until his debt was paid in full. He told me this story of himself getting ripped off, and that is why he "lost" my money. Because he had been making payments, I extended him an olive branch and udated my complaint. As soon as I made this update, Mr. Hoving stopped making payments. He can not be trusted! He lies, makes excuses, and gets angry if I demand my money! NEVER do business with Mr. Hoving or his wife, Susan Haack! On to Court!

I am updating my previous complaint regarding Harlequin Treats, Ltd. of Chicago, and their owners, Walter Hoving and Susan Haack. Due to unfortunate circumstances and a misunderstanding between the owners and myself, I wrongly interpreted their intentions and accused them of defrauding me. On the contrary, Walter and Susan are committed to fullfilling their business obligations, and have earned my trust and my friendship. It is wrong and unfair to label them as anything other than honest people trying to make and honest living. I apologize for the comments that I made in my previous complaint.

I am updating my previous complaint regarding Harlequin Treats, Ltd. of Chicago, and their owners, Walter Hoving and Susan Haack. Due to unfortunate circumstances and a misunderstanding between the owners and myself, I wrongly interpreted their intentions and accused them of defrauding me. On the contrary, Walter and Susan are committed to fullfilling their business obligations, and have earned my trust and my friendship. It is wrong and unfair to label them as anything other than honest people trying to make and honest living. I apologize for the comments that I made in my previous complaint.

I am updating my previous complaint regarding Harlequin Treats, Ltd. of Chicago, and their owners, Walter Hoving and Susan Haack. Due to unfortunate circumstances and a misunderstanding between the owners and myself, I wrongly interpreted their intentions and accused them of defrauding me. On the contrary, Walter and Susan are committed to fullfilling their business obligations, and have earned my trust and my friendship. It is wrong and unfair to label them as anything other than honest people trying to make and honest living. I apologize for the comments that I made in my previous complaint.

I am updating my previous complaint regarding Harlequin Treats, Ltd. of Chicago, and their owners, Walter Hoving and Susan Haack. Due to unfortunate circumstances and a misunderstanding between the owners and myself, I wrongly interpreted their intentions and accused them of defrauding me. On the contrary, Walter and Susan are committed to fullfilling their business obligations, and have earned my trust and my friendship. It is wrong and unfair to label them as anything other than honest people trying to make and honest living. I apologize for the comments that I made in my previous complaint.