Consumer Law, Warranties Is Unreceived Email Notification Legally Binding

[Harry_A]

There is a (CA) Company that matches service providers and clients (me). I am in (CT). In March 2008 I escrowed funds for services to be provided. After initial contact, the provider became unresponsive and could not be found and the work was not started. I assumed the transaction was closed.

Two years later, in June 2010 the (CA) company released the escrowed funds to the provider without my permission. They said I was notified by email and had 30 days to answer, so they automatically released the funds. I have no record of the email.

Questions: Can a company release escrowed funds by sending an email notification that is not answered? Can they assume receipt of the email?

We have two issues 1. Released funds without the owners permission and 2. a provider who accepted the escrowed funds for no work performed. Thanks

 

[army judge]

There is a (CA) Company that matches service providers and clients (me). I am in (CT). In March 2008 I escrowed funds for services to be provided. After initial contact, the provider became unresponsive and could not be found and the work was not started. I assumed the transaction was closed.

Two years later, in June 2010 the (CA) company released the escrowed funds to the provider without my permission. They said I was notified by email and had 30 days to answer, so they automatically released the funds. I have no record of the email.

Questions: Can a company release escrowed funds by sending an email notification that is not answered? Can they assume receipt of the email?

We have two issues 1. Released funds without the owners permission and 2. a provider who accepted the escrowed funds for no work performed. Thanks

Generally speaking, email notification is not a legally acceptable form of notification.
However, was there a contract?
If there was, did it speak to email notification?
Was there a time limit upon release of the funds?
What was the value of the funds?

As you are in CT and the company is in CA, your legal remedy would be almost impossible.
A CT court would have no jurisdiction over a CA resident or citizen without an expensive and protracted legal battle.