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Possible Seller Fraud
Summary: jpbj1105 raised concerns about a possible tracking number scam by a seller, noticing discrepancies in the package's shipment and delivery timeline, and a delivery signature that doesn't match their own. Despite the seller being located in Michigan, the package supposedly originated in Texas, and the delivery process appears to be manipulated. eburtonlab suggested contacting the shipping service and obtaining documentation to support a "false tracking" claim and advised using eBay's social media channels for assistance. They recommended filing a "not as described" return on eBay and considering recourse through the payment method if needed. They also advised buying from experienced sellers in the future.
Reason for Dispute: Fraudulent Tracking, Location Discrepancy,
I am not an ebay expert but have been around a bit.
The seller. Is utilizing a recycled tracking number scam to manipulate automated system filters.
The Impossible Tracking Timeline
I have an image that displays the official carrier tracking history. A tracking number was formally provided on October 2 at 5:44 AM. However, the history shows the package already moving through the logistics system multiple times on October 1—the day before the number was generated. A package cannot physically travel through a system prior to label assignment to the best of my knowledge.
Track package
Fri, Oct 2
Shipment history
FedEx: 878045236207
Fri, Oct 2 11:31am
Delivered SPRINGFIELD, KY 40069
Fri, Oct 2 8:03am
On FedEx vehicle for delivery LEXINGTON, KY 40511
Fri, Oct 2 7:49am
At local FedEx facility LEXINGTON, KY 40511
Thu, Oct 1 9:15pm
Departed FedEx hub FORT WORTH, TX 7617
Second half of the screen shot.
Thu, Oct 1 9:15pm
Departed FedEx hub FORT WORTH, TX 76177
Thu, Oct 1 5:45pm
Arrived at FedEx hub FORT WORTH, TX 76177
Thu, Oct 1 5:10pm
Left FedEx origin facility FLOWER MOUND, TX 75028
Thu, Oct 1 11:30am
Picked up IRVING, TX 75038
Thu, Oct 1 11:26am
Shipment information sent to FedEx
Thu, Oct 1 11:26am
Estimated delivery date updated to Fri, Oct 2 5:40pm
Fri, Oct 2 5:24am
Tracking number provided
Fabricated Lexington Delivery Window
That the package was marked as "Delivered" from Lexington, KY in 3 hours 46 mins please note the time of arrival in Lexington and the time the package was loaded on the truck. First arrived at the Lexington facility at 7:49 am the truck departed at 8:03.. Lexington is a minimum one-hour drive away from my residence, But on a Friday making it logistically impossible to sort, route, dispatch, and deliver to my door in that window. Furthermore, the delivery signature is listed as "l hhadez", which is completely fraudulent and does not match my name or household.
Proof of delivery via a pdf.
Origin Location Discrepancy
The seller's official store profile and tracking route details. The seller’s profile explicitly states they are registered and located in Michigan, yet the fraudulent tracking history shows the package originated and shipped out of Texas.
The item was never received. The provided tracking metrics are a statistical impossibility representing a recycled destination scan.
Thank you
Stephen
What to do?
eburtonlab
Mentor2 days ago · Edited@jpbj1105
If you have contacted the shipping service directly to determine that the tracking number does not correspond to a delivery to your address you are likely looking at a case of "false tracking".
If you can, I would suggest obtaining documentation that shows that the package was not addressed to you -- or that the tracking was initiated well before your order was placed -- then contacting eBay via social media direct message using Instagram and mentioning that you have a case of "false tracking" to be given an opportunity to share your documentation:
https://www.instagram.com/ebay/
If you cannot get documentation, or if that does not work:
Since false tracking allows a scam seller to win an "item not received" case, the next step would be to file a "not as described" return on eBay and be prepared to return exactly what you received if the seller provides for return shipping, or ask eBay to step in after three business days if the seller does not refund you or provide return shipping.
You may have recourse through your payment method if you are unable to get satisfaction through eBay, though once you involve a payment method, eBay can no longer help with that transaction. Be sure you mention "false tracking" specifically, otherwise your provider may assume a simple missing or stolen package and defer to eBay's ruling based on the tracking showing delivery.
In the future, stick to experienced sellers with a long and demonstrated history and avoid new or unproven sellers, or sellers that show warning signs of being drop-shippers or potential scammers: drastic changes in selling behavior or offering deals that are "too good to be true", or shipping heavy items that are unlikely to be profitably shipped via retail shipping.