What to do about a fraudulent business?

The videographer for our wedding (Dallas Holmes Photography, Houston, TX) has still not produced our wedding video after the allotted 90 days, and he has our full payment of $1800. After numerous attempts to contact him via phone, email him, go to his business (he was not there), and send a certified letter, he has not responded. I filed a complaint with the BBB, but who knows what will happen. I finally spoke with him before Christmas and he claims to have fallen ill, but would have his assistant contact me and have my video completed shortly. That was over three weeks ago with no phone call from his assistant and no video. Attempts have been made again to contact him with no response. Can I call the police and press fraudulent charges or just go straight to a lawyer? I hate to spend anymore money on this asshole!

Due to the amount this would be a small claims court case not something for a lawyer. If you paid cash or check go down to the courthouse and file a small claims case ASAP. If you paid using your credit or debit card contact the cardholding company and contest the charge. They will give you specific instructions on how to handle this if you call them.

Honestly, BBB is a huge waste of time. They do not have the legal authority to do anything.

Call Judge Judy! Something like that would be best for small claims court as hiring a lawyer for such an amount would probably not be worth it.

Police may only direct you to a lawyer, but they may keep complaints on file in case charges need to be laid, so you should prolly let them know anyway. Do you know where his business is? Go there. Threaten to inform the tax people, whoever else you can threaten them with if you don't get your money back. You may have to kiss the video goodbye, but I think you probably already realize that now.