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Fake Tracking Scam - how do I prepare?
Hi everyone,
I think I've finally fallen victim to the fake tracking number scam.
Yesterday I ordered a collector's item, which was sitting in the "good price, definitely not too good to be true" range. The seller had multiple good reviews from different sources, for a total of 100% feedback, and I heard everywhere eBay usually sides with buyers in case of disputes, so I felt pretty safe to risk it.
Immediately, things smelled fishy. The tracking number was added to the order mere minutes after my payment. And turns out, it's not available when I visit the shipping company's website. I asked the seller if they made a mistake, and I was provided with a different tracking number, which registered as shipped yesterday at a compatible time with my order's shipment - but also very clearly isn't my item, since it arrived today.
Now, the order is still officially tied to the first shipping number, with the package being labeled as sent on eBay, but untrackable on the delivery company's website (invalid tracking number). Additionally, in what may be a stroke of luck or incompetence of the scammer's side, that may hopefully save me some trouble, the second tracking number they provided me privately is not shipped to the same area code as my address.
How do I proceed from here? If the first tracking number that was associated to the order is void on the website, am I "safe" to use the no item received? Should I allegate the proof that the second item wasn't delivered to my area code in my complaint?
Just thinking in advance here, as I understand that this scam is not really handled well normally by eBay's MBG.
kh-light
·9 months agoHi everyone,
Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.
Thank you for understanding.
mitchgreenberg
·9 months agoAfter going through all the ridiculous hoops that eBay imposes on victims of the fake tracking scam, file a complaint with the Attorney General of California at https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company
There is a willful conspiracy on eBay's part to cover up these scams. They close victims' claims without checking the evidence, they remove negative feedback on scam seller's pages and they keep the scam auctions active. Only a massive financial penalty imposed by the State of California will ever stop the criminals that are running eBay's so-called Fraud Department.
lizzielizlizzie
·1 year agoI'm pretty sure something similar just happened to me. The seller sent me a message saying that one of their workers attached the wrong TN to the item and gave the number to my home town to me via message. A few days later the package was marked as delivered, but there was no package. I looked at the proof of delivery info at UPS and it looks like something that weighed less than what I ordered went to a loading dock in my home town and someone signed for it. I filed a claim with UPS and then sent the seller a message about it. A couple of days later I sent the seller a message asking for an update. Today I tried to check on it and they no longer have an ebay profile. I just filed an item not received claim and eBay replied in 4 minutes letting me know that they would issue me a full refund.
tobaccocardyahoo
·1 year agoHere in the US, the idea of getting Ebay to resolve an INR based on the false tracking number scam is beyond the level of effort many of us are willing to expend.
Opening a dispute with our credit card issuer is easier and more productive.
Paying by other than a credit card is imprudent. I realize that in many parts of Europe, credit cards are uncommon and the use of debit cards more common.
You should seek advise on a relevant site based on the country of issue of your payment method, to see what your legal rights are.
simba6
·1 year agoIf any tracking number says delivered, do not file an item not received case. I hope you paid by credit card in case their protection is needed.
alessandrbianch-0
OP1 year agoA tracking number indeed says delivered, but the website allows to crosscheck with the postal code, which is not the one of the address I provided.
I paid with Google Pay, which I'm not sure how good it is wrt buyer's protection.
simba6
·1 year agoThe risk is eBay will only see delivered and not look into where.
carlmarxx
·1 year agoI had seller that uploaded another buyers USPS tracking number on the Item I bought . it was 1 of 6 packages I had coming to me for delivery. I got 5 of 6 packages and wondered what happened to 6th one . so I had to call next day because delivery issues happened after they closed . So next mourning I call the P.O. that handles my mail, I gave the supervisor the tracking number she confirmed it wasn't mine and delivered to another person in same city . I was told they had photo shot of the package and label and did the full internal tracking system information which she had printed out and had one of employees deliver to me right away . I had already talked with a U.S. eBay rep on the phone in mourning same day ,that would be calling USPS up to see what was going on ,the rep open the INR . I got another call back from ebay to informed them about seller did , I informed them I got the USPS documents proof that tracking wasn't to me . They sent me a email with link to up load the documents . after get the USPS documents ebay found in my favor and refunded . I did message the seller about wrong tracking and uploaded the USPS documents ,which seller didn't acknowledged the issue . this seller was a drop shipper from Israel that had someone in N. Ca doing the packing and shipping . I'm in S. Ca. . well funny thing is I 3 days later I get a message from seller about being sorry about missing lost order and that replacement's was shipped out . the seller used amazon to replacing the missing order ,I should say so called missing order .I never had seller do this. the ebay system make's hard to Neg seller that uploads wrong or fake tracking do to showing delivered to anoth address .
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@carlmarxx,
First off you should have posted your own discussion/topic about your issue since it is not exactly the same as what was originally posted. Piggy backing on someone else's topic may not get you the answers for your specific problem.
'I had already talked with a U.S. eBay rep on the phone in mourning same day ,that would be calling USPS up to see what was going on ,the rep open the INR . I got another call back from ebay to informed them about seller".
Was the first call a call back from ebay or did you look up an ebay customer service phone number online? If you called a number you found online, you did not speak to anyone connected with ebay. Those numbers connect you to people hoping to steal your information.
eBay's phone reps cannot call any of the shipping agencies to get information from them. Most of them work for a contracted 3rd party call/chat center, and are known for not giving out good information when an issue is not covered in the playbook ebay gives them.
"I had seller that uploaded another buyers USPS tracking number on the Item I bought . it was 1 of 6 packages I had coming to me for delivery. I got 5 of 6 packages and wondered what happened to 6th one".
If your seller used USPS Tracking Plus (a separate pay to use service) to ship multiple packages under one tracking number, they may have messed up and only added 5 of the 6 before moving on and adding another package to their order. You do buy from some high volume sellers whose shipping person may have made a mistake.
Still unless these were each quite large or heavy items there isn't really a reason for 6 packages to be shipped even for 6 individual orders, they could have shipped multiple smaller items in the same box.
"So next mourning I call the P.O. that handles my mail, I gave the supervisor the tracking number she confirmed it wasn't mine and delivered to another person in same city . I was told they had photo shot of the package and label and did the full internal tracking system information which she had printed out and had one of employees deliver to me right away.
Does the photo show the same tracking number as the 5 you received or is it a different one? Does the return address on the label photo, match the ones on the other packages?
" I did message the seller about wrong tracking and uploaded the USPS documents ,which seller didn't acknowledged the issue . this seller was a drop shipper from Israel that had someone in N. Ca doing the packing and shipping... . well funny thing is I 3 days later I get a message from seller about being sorry about missing lost order and that replacement's was shipped out . the seller used amazon to replacing the missing order"
It is kind of hard to dissect your post, but most sellers registered in Israel do drop ship from Amazon, using their FBA service which is ebay approved. Did they provide an Amazon tracking number for the replacement? If not they may be trying to stall you past the point of being able to use ebay's Money Back Guarantee protections. You have 30 days from the last estimated delivery date or from the date tracking showed delivered, to file a dispute through ebay.
If there isn't tracking for the Amazon package go to your purchase history click on the More Actions button for the missing item, then click on Return the item, which opens a list of reasons for the return. Select Missing parts or pieces as the reason, and follow through to file the dispute.
The dispute will appear in your purchase history and the seller will have 3 days to reply to it by proving a replacement is on its way with viewable tracking, or to refund you for the missing item. If they do neither or offer excuses on day 4 or on the date ebay says to do so, open the dispute and click on the ask ebay to step in button. They will issue a refund from the seller's account.
simba6
·1 year agoGoogle pay link
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awril2hPc6JnhgIAVEpXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1739909200/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fsupport.google.com%2fgooglepay%2fanswer%2f7644016%3fhl%3den/RK=2/RS=3HWXIg.09gqHxK76aF9EDyzqnRg-
ittybitnot
·1 year agoA tracking number indeed says delivered, but the website allows to crosscheck with the postal code, which is not the one of the address I provided.
@alessandrbianch-0
As mentioned by @simba6 , the likelihood of any "item not received" claim you file with eBay when there is a tracking number that shows 'delivered' even if it is OBVIOUSLY fake, may not help you at all. The process is totally automated, and no humans will do any research into the issues you describe. Should you at this point go to PayPal or your credit card with the "item not received" claim, it is presented to eBay who responds with the same phony delivery confirmation, and you will lose again.
The pattern for a true "fake tracking scam" or one that is likely to occur can often be detected before you even buy. There are many "tells". Easy for me to say, since I have been following this crime for a while now. It is one of the very few instances where eBay's promise of the Money Back Guarantee is a giant fail, and FAIL it does. There are no procedures for a victim to follow, and eBay's front line response is to DENY. The appeal will be denied, and the regular foreign based Customer Service agents you get in a call back or chat are not allowed to do much to intervene on your behalf.
There was a time when eBay would ONLY accept a written documentation from the carrier attesting that the parcel associated with that tracking/delivery was NOT associated with you or your address. The information in that form was in most instances impossible to obtain, and likely why eBay required it. In these cases the carrier did their job i.e. delivered to the address on the label.
Things have changed somewhat since this scam has been going on for more than a decade here. Yet there is no eBay policy on what is required of the victim. I suppose they hope you will claim INR since they don't give you any option for this situation.
This is more complicated since you are in Italy. I can only tell you what can be done according to the processes we now follow in the US. If you would like those suggestions, we would be glad to provide them though they may not work for you.
alessandrbianch-0
OP1 year ago@ittybitnotthanks for taking the time to write this.
I'm doing this through UK eBay actually, since I'm buying a product located in UK and sending it to an address in UK (where a family member lives). I'm actually not based in Italy myself (anymore).
Earlier today I chatted with an operator on the phone, who suggested I should be able to successfully appeal a claim with a declaration like the one you mentioned above. I emailed the mail service with the 2 tracking numbers already.
I am wondering if you have any recommendations for UK based purchases and, additionally, if you think that - in case the delivery status of the item doesn't change, due to the faulty tracking number associated to it - it would be feasible to actually file an INR complaint.
ittybitnot
·1 year agodue to the faulty tracking number associated to it - it would be feasible to actually file an INR complaint.
@alessandrbianch-0
Here in the US, it is recommended that you simply get the idea of "INR" out of your mind if there is a recorded delivery associated with your purchase. From what you say it is my understanding that the "original" tracking number shows no movement/or is invalid. The second one the seller gave you does not even correspond to the delivery address postal code. Is that correct?
If you go by the 1st tracking number, you will have to wait one day past the estimated delivery date of your parcel to file a claim at all (see your original order details). The seller can contact eBay with some story about how the posted the other one by mistake, and indeed come up with another to a location in your postal code. There are all sorts of variations on this as well, so filing INR is risky business for the most part. Again this is based on many reports from victims of the fake tracking scam in the US. There were 183 on this board alone last year not counting all the posters that added "me too" to those discussions, or ones I simply missed.
January 2025 was a busy month around here as well:
Jan. 2025
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Laser-TV-Item-Not-Received/m-p/34862223#M509687
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-got-scammed-out-of-999-for-an-RTX-4090/m-p/34865219#M509806
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Ebay-support-and-money-back-guaranty/m-p/34870558#M510126
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Package-delivered-to-wrong-address-by-usps-no-refund/m-p/34871240#M510140
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Tracking-number-fraud-within-EBay/m-p/34872627#M510235
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/EBAY-is-ALLOWING-a-delivery-address-switch-scam-to-continue/m-p/34873630#M510315
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Mail-fraud-switching-tracking-numbers-with-addresses-in-the-same/m-p/34873069#M510341
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Refund-due-to-seller-sending-to-wrong-address/m-p/34880629#M510871
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-just-got-scammed-out-of-a-baking-dish/m-p/34881587#M510926
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Another-quot-eBay-Refuses-to-Honor-Money-Back-Guarantee-quot/m-p/34887210#M511279
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Fake-Tracking-Scam-by-seller/m-p/34889174#M511418
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Seller-False-DELIVERED-quot-Waybill/m-p/34892946#M511649
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/eBay-says-item-was-delivered-but-it-was-not/m-p/34897201#M511855
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-think-this-listing-is-a-scam-and-I-bought-two-of-these/m-p/34897101#M511849
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Delivery/m-p/34903692#M512289
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Item-wasn-t-delivered-to-my-correct-address/m-p/34904083#M512306
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Problem-with-Purchase-and-Seller/m-p/34901935#M512174
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Beware-of-Anteww/m-p/34913899#M512840
You can read the various posts, suggestions, and importantly what NOT to do (which number one on the list is DO NOT FILE INR) but rather pursue this as FRAUD/fake tracking scam. If your seller is "no longer a registered user" contacting CS in the UK may be less problematic than it is here. Note the social media links provided that victims can use to get redress. Also consider filing an eBay "not as described" case instead if your INR claim is kicked to the curb. This will beat the eBay denial bots and the criminal at their own game at least here in the US.
Since your item was purchased on the UK site, and will be handled according to the rules in place there, I urge you to post on their discussion forum for additional advice/procedures that may be specific to your problem.
Do let us know what you find out, and how things are going.
alessandrbianch-0
OP1 year agoSmall update on this: I talked to the ebay customer service twice about this.
They told me, maybe unsurprisingly, that I will receive my money back, and that the something something team (I don't remember how they named it) is well aware of this scam.
They also told me they won't simply check whether there is a delivered tracking number attached to the order, but also the notes left on my profile by the customer service agents. These state, apparently, that the seller provided me with a first tracking number that isn't working, and with a second tracking number that is shipped to a different postal code (i.e.: the truth).
I subsequently filed INR (explaining the the item was never shipped, and it's a scam, and they should look at my profile's notes for additional infos coming from customer service) and reported the seller for violating eBay's ToS (once again explaining the scam).
Let's hope that years of Jim Browning, Pleasant Green and Atomic Shrimp paid off in making me aware of this in time and avoiding losing any money.