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Seller running a shipping scam
Summary: sheepsleg777 is experiencing an issue with a seller they suspect is running a scam. They ordered an item that was supposedly shipped from an incorrect location, and the delivery status was falsely updated to show as delivered to a different address. After contacting UPS, it was confirmed that the provided tracking number corresponds to another recipient in the same area. The eBay system does not allow for further assistance, and sheepsleg777 is seeking advice on how to address the situation without resorting to a chargeback, which might affect their long-standing eBay account.
I am having a major issue with a seller who I realized would be a problem almost immediately after my purchased. The listing country was Turkey, but this was not the country Turkey, it was the area wby Sri Lanka. A Google search after the fact revealed this to me. Anyhow, I asked to cancel the order and was ghosted, so denied. The order was placed mid August. The item reported as awaiting shipping until ~sep 4 at 10pm pst time. Then on September 4th the history magically updated to delivered as of August 18th. UPS website shows a different address that what the item was ordered to. I report the item as not received and all the seller does once a day that it was delivered. I contacted UPS directly and they confirm that the item front he provided tracking number was for a different person and address in my city. They will not give me the name or address it actually shipped to. The eBay option does not give the option for ebay to get involved. I think the seller is running a shipping scam. I think they ordered a different cheaper item to a random person and address in my area to fool the tracking system. The automated system in eBay only knows that the zip code is correct and that it shows it as delivered. How do I combat this scam? I realize charge back is last option but I want to create problems in my eBay account for which I have had almost 20 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
eastlaneave
Mentor1 month ago@sheepsleg777
I'm sorry that happened. Some of these steps you have already done, read through and do each step, in order that you haven't done.
1) First, call the post office/shipper to see if the tracking number label contained your name and your address. (They won't tell you whose name is on the package, only that your name and address is not.)
a) If your name and correct address were on the label, ask the Post Office/shipper to review the GPS on the delivery, retrieve the item from the wrong house, and deliver it to you.
b) If your name and address weren't on that label, ask the Post Office/shipper if they will put this in writing; it's helpful, but not required. "The tracking number you were provided by the seller is not related to you nor the package you were expecting."
Also, ask for the weight of the package using that tracking number. Follow the rest of the steps starting with 2 below:
FOR UPS:
You can usually find the weight and other details for UPS here:
https://www.ups.com/track?loc=en_US&requester=ST/
then click " Proof of Delivery"
The proof of delivery may have more details about the delivery site, and the weight. Screenshot that.
Contact UPS Fraud reportfraud@ups.com ask for a letter that states "The tracking number you were provided by the seller is not related to you nor the package you were expecting."
2) Then, report the seller using this process
https://www.ebay.com/help/action?topicid=4022
Important, select "Suspicious seller activity"
then "Other"
Explain that the seller is using fake tracking numbers
Include these phrases
Seller uploaded tracking not associated with my transaction
Tracking details were not accurate
Seller used a false tracking number
Don't write a novel, it's initially being read by a computer, that's why I want you to use those 3 specific phrases in the message.
3) Finally, contact Customer Service and inform them that the seller uploaded a "false tracking number" on your purchase. Share any documentation you gathered. Request a refund.
Use the Customer Service that is on Instagram this way:
- https://www.instagram.com/ebay/
Send a private direct message to the page. Explain you have a fake or false tracking number situation.
Let me know how this goes, I've been burned a few times myself (including on Amazon), but I have been able to get a refund following this process.
There are additional steps to take if the above isn't effective, just come back and update me.