Fake Tracking from Seller (Hijacked Tracking Numbers)

There is an older and closed thread on this subject, but the exact same thing with similar MO just happened to me.

I ordered an item and never received it. The seller supplied a tracking number showing the item delivered via Fed Ex on Sept 11 but when I checked with Fed Ex, the item was signed for by someone I do not know. Fed Ex confirmed the item was sent to a different person and different address (not me). Fed Ex also showed weight and size of item 3 foot by 2 foot and 55 bounds, clearly not my little 3 cup storage container.

Ebay denied my case for a refund saying the seller provided proof of delivery even though I had explained the tracking was bogus. Ebay also deleted my negative feedback. Both things also happened with many other customers from the older thread. In many instances the seller was overseas and new (with only a few feedbacks). In many cases the scammed buyer said that ebay sided with the seller.

I finally got a refund from eBay on appeal, but they did not acknowledge that the seller was using a fraudulent tracking. Ther erroneosly "determined that the item was stolen after delivery". I have reported this to the FTC and to Fed Ex, since use of fraudulent tracking numbers (hijacked tracking numbers) is a criminal offense:

Hijacked tracking numbers: In e-commerce scams, a fraudulent seller may use a legitimate tracking number for a package sent to a different address in your general area. This makes it appear to the payment provider that a delivery was made, even though you never received your order.

I believe that eBay needs to take these claims more seriously and investigate better, not just take the side of a seller over an established customer. Seems these scammers using bad tracking numbers are more common that I thought.

VAB from Pennsylvania

vintage-choice

4688 View listings

Posted 10 months ago·Last reply 8 months ago

8 comments

ittybitnot

·10 months ago

18 View listings

@vintage-choice

In these instances when you claim you didn't receive your parcel when there is a record of delivery associated with your order you are going to lose. Not that eBay gives you any choice other than "item not received", but that claim will be your downfall no matter where you use it. There are options for you when you are a victim of this. From another post in May of this year:

You are an apparent victim of the infamous "fake tracking scam". The crooks know how to play this so well it has been going on for over a decade. It is quite successful, and eBay knows all about it. Unfortunately, they don't provide any information in their policies, and if a victim files an "Item not received" claim (because they didn't receive anything) they are going to lose. They lose even if the "delivered" status is fake and was for a package of paperclips delivered to your local tavern or gas station in your Zip Code (the worst case is they send it to an empty lot, and it ends up being returned). The Money Back Guarantee is going to be a FAIL.

There are basically just a few ways you can gain redress.

a) As suggested above, just file an "item not as described" return/claim. "Missing parts or pieces" is a pretty good reason. The "seller" will have three days to issue you a return label, or send you cash in advance (via PayPal) to pay for the return, or simply refund. Never accept a "replacement", as you see it just makes this sort of problem worse. If you get a label, simply ship back what you got i.e. a package of AIR.

Though not always a preferred solution, it is still quick and effective. It simply serves to beat the crook and the eBay denial bots at their own game.

b) Give up on the idea of "Item not Received" altogether in favor of what this really is....FRAUD/Fake Tracking Scam/Shipped to wrong address. Though mentioned above, eBay USED to require written documentation from the carrier stating the parcel was not intended nor delivered to you. It was "required" because that was impossible to obtain, leaving both eBay and the seller "off the hook" for this crime.

Things have changed a bit in the last few years, and that requirement may not be required at all. In cases where the seller had already been reported for this crime, or they are no longer a registered user, you may not be required to jump through as many hoops as in the past. I would pay a visit to my local post master in person with record of your tracking information and explain you wish some assistance with FRAUD fake tracking scenario, and see what you can get as far as documentation. Then contact eBay via one of the following links. These are their social media portals that connect you with eBay customer service employees based in the US. They know all about this, and unlike the regular CS you get in a call back or chat, typically don't lie to you, and do have the authority to help you with this problem.

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/ (use the blue message button)

OR direct message through one of these:

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

https://x.com/askebay

Tell them you need assistance with a fake tracking issue, and see what they say to do to proceed.

c) If eBay throws you under the bus, and you paid with PayPal, you can file a claim there. Do NOT be in a hurry and pick "Item not Received". Look farther down in the dropdown and choose "shipped to wrong address". Otherwise, the claim will be forwarded to eBay who will respond with the same phony delivery information and you will lose again. Note that you should NOT file with PayPal or your credit card company until you are done with eBay. Otherwise, eBay will simply close your case and no longer be required to help you.

d) File a chargeback with your credit card. Again, DO NOT CLAIM "INR" but be clear it is a case of FRAUD/fake tracking. This should be done basically as a 'last resort'. Never enact all the options at the same time.

Do come back if you need additional information, and/or to tell us how it worked out for you.

Then you can read these. This is just this years from this board. The scam has been going on here for over a decade.

Jan. 2025 18

Feb. 2025 5

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/DHL-Messing-up-shipping-or-a-scam/m-p/34918930#M513039
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Item-shipped-to-wrong-address/m-p/34918657#M513034
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Fake-Tracking-Scam-how-do-I-prepare/m-p/34920656#M513092
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Seller-scamming-me/m-p/34954964#M514849
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-just-got-scammed-and-I-don-t-know-how-to-proceed/m-p/34955823#M514900

March 2025 13

April 2025 9

May 2025 13

June 2025

July 2025

August 2025

September 2025

vintage-choice

OP10 months ago

4688 View listings

Thank you, I like the idea of broken or not as described...

eBay finally did give me a refund after I appealed but I am upset that they removed my negative feedback on the seller and implied the item was "stolen" after delivery.

If I had not gotten the refund I would have disputed the charge from my credit card and in past credit card companies have been very good at removing the bad charge.

I also reported the fraud to both Fed Ex and the FTC.

BTW, scanning older threads on this topic, it is amazing how similar this problem is... in most cases seller is new, seller is overseas, and eBay seems to protect and favor the sellers. I am also going to avoid overseas sellers from now on.

One more recourse I took is write up this scam on PISSEDCUSTOMER.COM. I also got an email from eBay asking for feedback on customer service and I gave them an earful

Thanks for your input. VAB

dariudaudery_0

·10 months ago

1000 View listings

Pretty much in these kind of cases eBay will give money to both, seller and buyer if they both just keep on complaining/appealing/contacting customer support.

Kinda sad, but likely cheaper than to investigate it, deal with chargebacks, etc.

vintage-choice

OP8 months ago

4688 View listings

I finally got a refund after hounding eBay support over multiple days, but they never admitted the seller was a scammer. The tracking "proof" was for a 50 pound item delivered (with signature required) to a totally different name and address. Yet eBay insisted the small (under a pound) item I ordered had been delivered and "stolen". My negative feedback left on the seller was removed and eBay said my refund was a "courtesy". The seller was not removed, nor black marked, leaving him free to scam again.

I have stopped using eBay except on limited rare occasions and only from US sellers... no longer trust eBay's promises of "buyer protection". --Ginny

mudshark61369

·8 months ago

"There is no such thing as foolproof, because fools are so darned ingenious" (unknown)3105 View listings

@vintage-choice ,

"I have stopped using eBay except on limited rare occasions and only from US sellers...".

If that is true why have you recently bought about 15 items from a seller based in India who has a 96.1% feedback rating, which is a terrible percentage, for a high volume ebay seller?

In looking at one of that seller's sold listings, there were Sponsored listings using the same photos as he used.

Checking each seller's feedback profile page before buying from one can save you time and money.

vintage-choice

OP8 months ago

4688 View listings

I purchased other inexpensive semi precious gems previously from the same seller and had good experiences with the seller. These items were gifts for a friend who makes jewelry and I was unable to buy and select anywhere else. Rest assured, if I have other options, I will skip eBay.

vintage-choice

OP8 months ago

4688 View listings

P.S. Bit surprised you were interested enough to check out my purchases.

kensgiftshop

·10 months ago

389 View listings

@vintage-choice wrote:

I believe that eBay needs to take these claims more seriously and investigate better, not just take the side of a seller over an established customer. Seems these scammers using bad tracking numbers are more common that I thought.

You would think as long as it's gone on, Ebay would do more to stop it, but they haven't.

Yes, we hear about it almost every day.

Not sure how they get the tracking numbers?