Locked
Discussions in this board are limited to the original poster and Community Mentors
Seller Shipped to Wrong Address, Then Stopped Responding
Summary: 2014_hudlo faced an issue with an eBay purchase where the seller shipped the item to an incorrect address and stopped responding, raising concerns about a potential scam. Despite collecting documentation from UPS and appealing to eBay, their case was automatically closed as the package was marked delivered within the correct city and zip code. mr_lincoln and arraus provided advice on how to handle the situation, including contacting eBay's customer service and potentially using social media-based assistance. eastlaneave further suggested filing reports with IC3 and attempting a credit card chargeback if other resolutions fail.
Hello, I purchased an item on eBay on the 11th and I can see that the seller dropped it off with UPS on the 12th. When I look at the order on eBay under my purchases, I can see it has the correct address. On the 15th though, the seller reached out to me in messages to say that they had made a mistake with my address and were working with the carrier, UPS, to resolve. Today is the 17th now and I got an exception notice from UPS for the tracking number that showed it still has the incorrect address (which is in my same city and zip, but is on the other side of down in a business complex) and that it is expected to be delivered tomorrow. I’ve asked the seller if they’ve been able to to do a delivery intercept or resolve with UPS, but they never responded after that initial message. I am worried they are doing an empty envelope scam so that the tracking will say ‘delivered’ to my city and zip.
I’m not sure what to do; I paid already for the item and I can’t seem to be able to talk to anyone from eBay. UPS also requires the sender to be the one to update the address, so I can’t do anything as the recipient. Is there anything I can do? Thank you in advance.
UPDATE 8/19/2026:
I’m back with a sad update.
I reached out to UPS and got documentation of the tracking not matching my address in my order, the lack of delivery intercept attempts, etc, and opened a case with eBay. Since the package was marked as delivered in my city/zip, it was automatically closed. I appealed with my documentation, the note from UPS, and photos, but it was closed again with no open to re-appeal. Its been impossible to actually talk to a human, and the rejection seems automated, so I doubt anyone actually looked at what I provided.
2014_hudlo
OP3 weeks agoI’m back with a sad update.
I reached out to UPS and got documentation of the tracking not matching my address in my order, the lack of delivery intercept attempts, etc, and opened a case with eBay. Since the package was marked as delivered in my city/zip, it was automatically closed. I appealed with my documentation, the note from UPS, and photos, but it was closed again with no open to re-appeal.
eastlaneave
Mentor3 weeks ago@2014_hudlo
I'm sorry that happened. Please follow these steps in order.
1) 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.
2) File an Internet Crime IC3.gov case https://www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice
It's an online form. save a copy of that.
3) Use eBay's social media-based customer service to get assistance
- https://www.instagram.com/ebay/
Just sent a private message to the page.
You'll get a message to authenticate yourself, then wait for the reply.
Send them the UPS documents, the IC3 report, and explain that the tracking number you were provided by the seller is not related to you nor your package. It was a fake or false tracking number.
The team works 6am-6pm PST, Monday-Friday.
See if they are willing to look at your documents and provide a courtesy refund.
4) Should eBay rule against you, then you will use the documentation you gathered to file a credit card chargeback.
5) If your credit card also declines you, open a case with the Consumer Financial Protection Board: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Please reply back to let me know how it worked out
arraus
Mentor3 weeks ago@2014_hudlo
I understand your concern. There's been some of that going on, for sure. On the positive, most seller scammers don't message about making a mistake on the tracking.
If it's not past the latest Estimated Delivery Date yet, there isn't much you can do. Here's how to check & good next steps to 100% protect yourself:
Go to My eBay >> Purchase History.
Open the Order page. At the top, it should show the Estimated Delivery Date range. Note the latest date.
Once the latest date has passed, file an Item Not Received case by selecting More actions on the Order page. Work through that.
If the Item Not Received case gets closed without a resolution, contact eBay Customer Support (do not jump the gun on this, you will waste your time and theirs). Come here for instructions if you have a hard time figuring out how to contact a CS person. Contact eBay CS within 30 days of the "delivery date" shown in tracking so you are protected by the eBay Money Back Guarantee.
TIP: You may have already done this... be sure to run the tracking number on FedEx.com. Once you see the tracking info, click to view more detailed tracking info. It may provide more info than eBay's tracking shows.
You're in a bit of a wait and see pattern right now. Hopefully, this isn't a scammer. It sounds like you'll know a lot more this week.
2014_hudlo
OP3 weeks agoThank you so much, this was very helpful! I appreciate your time and the info. Fingers crossed it works out.
2014_hudlo
OP3 weeks agoI’m back with a sad update.
I reached out to UPS and got documentation of the tracking not matching my address in my order, the lack of delivery intercept attempts, etc, and opened a case with eBay. Since the package was marked as delivered in my city/zip, it was automatically closed. I appealed with my documentation, the note from UPS, and photos, but it was closed again with no open to re-appeal.
Even with the seller admitting in DMs that they made a shipping mistake, it didn’t seem to matter and now the seller is “away” until 27Aug2026.
mr_lincoln
Mentor3 weeks ago · EditedHi @2014_hudlo
Unfortunately, you may have fallen prey to the False tracking number scam. If the package eventually shows delivered but not to your address then you will lose a claim that you did not receive the package.
If that happens then you need to get a document from the Carrier stating that the package was not delivered to your address and then contact eBay with that information to prove delivery confirmation was to a different address than yours. Make sure you tell eBay it was a False tracking number scam.
Here's how to contact eBay general customer service.
1. CLICK THIS LINK:
https://www.ebay.com/help/contact?type=ContactUs&topicId=4000
2. Select a category that best matches your problem.
3. Answer the chat bots question by stating what you need help with. Be brief when you reply to the chat bot.
4.Type AGENT ( you may have repeat steps 3 and 4)
5. Request a call back or live chat. (Note that the contact options vary depending on the topic and staffing availability)
Monday to Sunday 5:00 am to 09:30 pm PST
3. Or you can also contact customer service by sending a PRIVATE message on social media. Customer service verifies your identity before responding.
https://www.instagram.com/ebay/
6am to 6pm PST
Make sure you report the Seller: Online Customer Service - Report an issue with a seller