Seller Provided Fake Tracking Number to Avoid Cancellation

Question

I recently ordered a new camera, but quickly tried to cancel my order before it shipped. The seller did not request a cancellation and instead provided a fake tracking number. Worried that this is a scam, considering the listing is said to be from Germany, but the tracking link that was provided says it's coming from China. How do I cancel this order as fast as possible and avoid the scam of paying for a fake customs fee?

eburtonlab · Answer

@erbu797

The buyer cannot cancel without the seller's cooperation; if the seller is a scammer using false tracking, the seller will not cooperate.

If tracking shows delivery but nothing arrives, once you have contacted the shipping service directly to determine that the tracking number does not correspond to a delivery to your address you can be confident you are 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, 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.