Deposit

Hello, I am an international student currently working in Newport, RI for summer. Since my employer did not provide me housing, I had to find it by myself, so I found it through the Internet (classified). The owner demanded deposit $500 before I came to USA. Therefore, I sent the money via Wester Union on June 15th since I thought it was my only option. I came to USA on June 25th; however, the house was dirty and was not what I had expected. Next day I went to a real estate agency and they found me new housing, cheaper and clean. So I logically decided to leave the house after 2 nights. However, the owner has not given me the deposit back yet and he has told me he is not going to do so since he declared he lost time and money from June 15th to June 25th till I came to USA, so he used my deposit money to cover his "expenses". So I asked myself why did he choose me because he knew that I was coming 10 days after I had sent the money. I even did not have time to sign a lease with him, but I have the receipt from Western Union. What should I do? Is there any chance I can get my money back even without signed lease??? Could you please give me advice??

Based on what you say here, you could file suit against him (or at least threaten to do so) in small claims court or in regular court; filing in small claims court is easier and requires no attorney...you could try to collect all of the costs and damages that you suffered due to his behavior... You may also report him to your state attorney general's office. World law attorneys could also perhaps become directly involved, emai them if need be.