Buyer Beware. FedEx Tracking Scams are still a thing
Summary: cuyahoga_backshop shared their experience with a FedEx tracking scam, where a seller provided a tracking number with mismatched delivery details. FedEx cited privacy concerns and refused assistance, leaving victims unable to secure refunds. gurlcat and zgnisaer discussed how tracking information might not reveal specifics like addresses, while kensgiftshop suggested getting a letter from FedEx to prove non-delivery. simba6 noted the rise of tracking scams over other frauds. Frustrated by perceived victim blaming, cuyahoga_backshop expressed dissatisfaction with the conversation.
Not much to say other than as a recent victim, I'm referencing this old discussion from several years ago in hopes of raising awareness and protecting others. Sellers claim to ship your purchase via FedEx and provide a tracking number. When you track the package and see the delivery conformation but no package and try to track it down via the FedEx web site you learn that the address attached to the tracking number isn't yours. And FedEx won't do anything to assist you as a victim, citing "privacy". And because the package has been "delivered" you're typically helpless in attempts to get a refund.
cuyahoga_backshop
OP3 days agoI love the victim blaming. I'm done.
zgnisaer
·4 days ago · EditedOP @cuyahoga_backshop isn't seeing the delivery address on the FedEx website. Neither does FedEx show anything specific like a zip code for a tracking number.
Instead, this is how we lurn that the address stapled to the tricking number isn't yours:
FedEx will reply for any other entered, that that isn't the delivery address.
cuyahoga_backshop
OP3 days agoNo, you won't see the address. What I did: go to the FedEx site without logging in and enter the tracking number. When it displays, click to report a missing package. The dialog will respond with a request to enter your email address or phone number. When you submit that, it will respond saying that you information doesn't match what's on the ticket and their response will include a partial email address and the last four digits of the phone number they have. In my case it was clear that it wasn't mine.
gurlcat
·3 days agoI don't know if either of you is right, but what @zgnisaer says makes more sense, because I really doubt FedEx requires a sender (seller) to enter the recipient's (buyer's) email address and phone number.
In fact, an eBay seller wouldn't even HAVE your email address @cuyahoga_backshop
kensgiftshop
·4 days ago"you're typically helpless in attempts to get a refund."
Only if you don't know what to do.
Get a letter from FedEx stating the package was not addressed to you.
File an INAD.
Make a copy of the letter and ship it to the seller and wait for your refund.
cuyahoga_backshop
OP3 days agoBelieve me. I was on the phone with them for an hour. They refused to provide anything.
simba6
·4 days agoThe fake tracking number scam has take the top spot. It's well past the drained gift card scam. However, that may make a comeback as Christmas shopping starts. Don't ever buy gift cards! The fake tracking scam applies to all shippers not just that one.
gurlcat
·4 days agoHow are you seeing the delivery address on the FedEx website? You shouldn't be able to see anything more specific than the zip code. But if you DO see the address where the item was really delivered, then you would be able to use it to prove to eBay that you didn't actually receive the item. -This would happen in an appeal to the case closed (against you) in the Item Not Received case that I assume you filed.
cuyahoga_backshop
OP3 days agoNo, you won't see the address. What I did: go to the FedEx site without logging in and enter the tracking number. When it displays, click to report a missing package. The dialog will respond with a request to enter your email address or phone number. When you submit that, it will respond saying that you information doesn't match what's on the ticket and their response will include a partial email address and the last four digits of the phone number they have. In my case it was clear that it wasn't mine.
gurlcat
·3 days ago · EditedWhy would the seller give FedEx the buyer's email address and phone number? As a seller myself, I never have to enter any information about my buyers except their delivery address.