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How exactly to beat the fake tracking number scam?
It looks like I'm facing a fake tracking number scam seller for the first time. Just got this message less than an hour ago:
My immediate thought was that they were only trying to avoid an OOS cancellation. But then while I'm noting that the listing still has multiple quantities of this item "available" .... also wondering why they couldn't issue my refund immediately .... my phone makes another notification sound, saying the item is DELIVERED.
And clicking on the tracking, sure enough says it was delivered to my zip code just a moment ago. But notice anything interesting in the dates?
That's right, they somehow shipped an item on Friday that I didn't even order until Saturday!
So, obviously I immediately reported them. But now what? Do I just wait for eBay to "respond"? To my knowledge they don't tend to respond to "reports", but this is not just a report; it's a statement that this seller scammed me and has my money.
I have to admit I'm surprised there is no obvious course of action via the Order page. I know better than to file an INR, because it would just bounce back as delivered. I know I could file a "return" and send the seller back an empty box with their shipping label, if they didn't just refund me rather than accept the return.
But I don't just want my money back because I didn't get what I ordered, like any ordinary money back guarantee, I WANT EBAY TO SNATCH MY MONEY BACK AND SHUT DOWN THIS SELLER FOR UPLOADING A FAKE TRACKING NUMBER AND LYING IN MESSAGING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.
I see now in their feedback they've done this to others. Not many but some, and it looks like the average buyer has no idea how to handle a situation like this. Well go figure; I'm an experienced seller and I'm not exactly sure myself!
kh_femi
·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
·10 months agoThe more people who file fake tracking complaints with the Attorney General of California (https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company), the more chance financial penalties will be levied against eBay for continually ignoring victims. eBay's prime motivation is sales commissions. They forget that stressed-out buyer-victims will stop using eBay and they will lose millions that way. eBay needs more than a slap on the wrist at the point. Strength in numbers (number of official Attorney General complaints) may make a difference.
broto_64
·11 months agoThe same thing happened to me not long ago, I did get my refund and I never contacted ebay.
I do believe it's some odd new "OOS" work-around they've come up with, because buyers were starting to report them for cancelling due to "buyer asked" when the buyer didn't ask (or problem with address when there is no problem).
It's really strange to me, I couldn't figure out how in the world can they just refund without a cancellation. But I checked into it on my end, and there it was: Once an item is shipped I can go to the paid and shipped orders page, find the order, click on "view order details" and from that page (and only that page) I can pick option "send refund" (can't do it before it's shipped, the option simply doesn't exist)
So I'm pretty sure that is what is going on, they're dodging the OOS defect and once again, dropshippers.
Well, I did report that seller.
Also I never received anything, the tracking is just to cover themselves.
dzunquac-0
·1 year agoI agree with you. I was scammed in exactly the same way. In my case, the scammer ordered some item that was shipped to the city where I live and then used that tracking number to deceive both eBay and PayPal.
What surprised me the most was how eBay and PayPal handled the issue — it feels like a serious loophole in their system.
First, I filed a dispute on eBay. I clearly explained to them that I had called UPS, and UPS confirmed that the tracking number provided by the seller belonged to an Amazon package. So, I believe the scammer just ordered a random item from Amazon and had it shipped to some address in my area.
However, eBay still sided with the seller, saying that the seller had provided proof showing the package was delivered to my ZIP code. I then appealed the case but got the same result.
This made me extremely frustrated and disappointed with eBay. It honestly feels like eBay is siding with the seller or even complicit in the scam, because I specifically asked eBay to request proof from the seller showing that the tracking number was delivered to my actual address.
For privacy reasons, only the seller can see the full delivery address associated with their shipment. But eBay still ruled in favor of the seller, using the same excuse — “the package was delivered to the buyer’s ZIP code.â€
It’s ridiculous. I can’t believe a large company like eBay would treat its customers this way. I really want eBay to fix this issue. When a buyer claims they were scammed with a fake tracking number, eBay should require the seller to provide proof that the package was delivered to the correct address, not just the same ZIP code or city.
For those who were scammed like me, you can email UPS using the link below.
https://www.ups.com/upsemail/input?loc=en_US&fraud=true
Explain clearly how you were scammed. UPS will then email you a confirmation stating that the tracking number was not delivered to your address but to a different one. You can use that confirmation to file a dispute on PayPal.
gurlcat
OP1 year ago@dzunquac-0
You said you were surprised how eBay and Paypal handled it -but you only described how eBay handled it.
broto_64
·1 year agoI just had this happen to me, but check your refunds because the seller in my case did refund my money.
A few days after I ordered I got a message similar to yours, talking about my order was cancelled and the money refunded. I don't recall the actual reason for cancellation but it was an odd one and the first time I'd ever seen it, not something I recall being on the list of choices a seller can pick from.
Here's where it gets odd, the tracking showed the parcel was on its way and some days later showed delivered to my zip code but there was nothing here.
It still bothers me, despite the fact I got the refund I know the whole storyline is just word salad and I don't like being lied to... Specifically because it strikes me as a "defect avoidance" tactic. So I don't think it's a scam since they did refund me, but likely a way to skirt around the "out of stock" issue.
How do I know?
1) The item in question is still up for sale!
2) I can order another, and that will also get cancelled and refunded, and on and on...
It is ridiculous, especially when we have all these same-same item listings all from the same group of dropshippers just clogging up the search results with all their duplicates and yet I can't order from any one of them without my order being cancelled!
And yes, fine I got a refund but this isn't the way to handle things. I believe the dropshippers came up with this after enough people reported them for policy violations when before they would cancel for reason(s) of "buyer asked / problem with address."
It isn't good for buyer retention or buyer satisfaction, to have orders cancelled and money refunded when it clearly isn't the buyer's fault and yet the seller can continue to do so with impunity.
an-57470
·1 year agoThis just happened to me for $2400. Total nightmare. eBay is a horrible company for allowing this happen. Now Chase bank refuses to reverse the charge because eBay claims the item was delivered. My only alternative at this point is to file a small claims suit against eBay which I did since it is still allowed even under the mandatory arbritration user agreement. Arbirtation is mandatory only if it exceeds the Small Claims max for your state. Slam dunk case but getting eBay to pay the judgement will be a challenge I'm sure.
gurlcat
OP1 year agoWrite to eBay via social media (Facebook, Instagram or Twitter) -that is where you can get better help than what the phone reps are able to do . That's what I did (I'm the OP of this thread) and I got my money refunded.
ittybitnot
·1 year agoNow Chase bank refuses to reverse the charge because eBay claims the item was delivered.
@Anonymous
If you claimed INR (item not received) with your bank, that is why your claim was denied. They forward the claim to eBay who responds with the same "delivery confirmation" even though it is fake. Generally, you should try to get information from the carrier to determine if the parcel was ever intended for you in the first place. You don't need to know the delivery address, only that it was not yours.
You should call your card provider back and claim FRAUD/Fake tracking, shipped to wrong address scam. They know all about this, as does eBay and PayPal. There are other options for redress when this happens, but since you already went to Chase, eBay will absolve themselves of any responsibility.
an-57470
·1 year agoI did claim FRAUD/Fake tracking scam and they cancelled the card and refunded the money. Then 2 months later they rescinded the refund because eBay would not confirm in writing that it was a fraud.
17229th
·11 months agoIt gets worse. If the item is under 20.00 ebay will refund the buyer when seller deliberately under pays postage and package is stuck in a depot or returned. The tracking number shows some delay or in transit but that's it. Ebay loses, we pay higher fees, and seller scams system for profit
gurlcat
OP11 months agoNot sure where you got that info. If a buyer files an INR and eBay finds in their favor, they don't refund the buyer out of their own pocket -they take it from the seller. You just don't see that part as a buyer.
srsche62
·1 year agoi have been a victim to the fake tracking scam except the dates line up i have usps informed delivery witch shows i never received a package with that tracking number it also shows deliver in mail box but the item is way to big for the mailbox but eBay keeps closing my moneyback guarantee case they keep siding with the seller that is located in China its strange its so clear that this seller is a scammer yet they keep siding with him i think the moral of this story is not only are there many scammers on eBay but also eBay themselves are scammers
eBay money back guarantee is fake it doesn't work
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@srsche62 ,
" i think the moral of this story is not only are there many scammers on eBay but also eBay themselves are scammers".
What you do not realize is that ebay and shipping agencies are hamstrung by Federal Postal Privacy regulations that do not allow anyone but the sender to see a shipping label's address or package type/size/weight info. They certainly are not going to give that info to a company not involved in the shipping process as either the sender or recipient.
Informed delivery does not show item tracking or send out for delivery messages, unless there is something addressed to you.
jbburley
·1 year agoI always thought eBay had my back until this happened to me. I bought a mini computer on eBay at a reasonable price—about $20 to $30 less than Amazon. The delivery day came, but the item never arrived. I was advised to wait an extra day in case there was a USPS error. Still, nothing.
I filed a missing item claim, and the seller provided tracking that showed a delivery in my zip code. eBay closed the case. I appealed and spoke with multiple representatives, but they upheld the decision.
After contacting USPS, I was told that the package had been delivered to someone else in my area—not to my address and not in my name. I reviewed the tracking information and noticed it appeared to be linked to an Etsy order, meaning it was a complete scam. USPS informed me that they couldn’t disclose the recipient’s address but would verify the details with eBay if they called.
I spoke with multiple eBay representatives, but they refused to contact USPS for verification, insisting that the tracking showed delivery and the case was closed. Even when I pointed out that another buyer had recently left feedback describing the exact same issue with the seller, eBay didn’t care and simply repeated: case closed.
At this point, I don’t know what else I could have done to prove that the package was never delivered to me. I’m out the money and have spent a lot of time trying to resolve the issue with eBay, only to be dismissed. This experience has completely eroded my trust in eBay’s buyer protection policies.
DONT BUY ANYTHING FROM ye4141413
MINISFORUM Mini PC UN150P,Intel Twin Lake N150,16 GB DDR4 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe... | eBay
Case ID
53586312025358631202
stephenmorgan
·1 year agoGet a letter from you local USPS stating what they told you "the package had been delivered to someone else in my area—not to my address and not in my name. " Make sure the letter has a USPS Point of Contact with phone number if eBay wishes to call them.
File a Notice of Dispute with eBay and provide the letter from the USPS stating the facts. You can get the form here. https://p.ebaystatic.com/aw/help/legal/Notice_of_Dispute.pdf
You may also wish to read section 19 Legal Disputes.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/user-agreement?id=4259&st=12&pos=1&query=User%20Agreement&intent=arbritration&docId=HELP1313#18
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@gurlcat,
While this is a form of fake tracking, it is not the usual one of shipping an item to a different address in your zip code. Because you have your purchase date, and the shipping label's creation and shipping date, which was created the day before you bought the item, it could have been resolved fairly quickly, though you would have lost the initial dispute for item not received. When you get a message saying that, there is an appeal button in it.
When you appeal you have the ability to add photos, scans or screen shots to the message. In this case, a screen shot of your Order details with the tracking # and the Tracking info and tell the rep who handles the dispute check the date of purchase against the date the label was created, one day before you bought the item.
As it is, you have caused ebay to look into the seller's business practices. It appears they used a previously purchased label to hide the fact that the item was damaged or Out of stock.
" it looks like the average buyer has no idea how to handle a situation like this. Well go figure; I'm an experienced seller and I'm not exactly sure myself!"
Even experienced buyers and sellers have no clue how to deal with fake tracking. eBay is hamstrung because the only info they can access is the tracking info which shows Delivered in the same zip code. That's because the only one who is allowed access to the actual shipping label info is the sender, because of the privacy policies used by shipping agencies.
That is what makes the fake tracking scam so popular, and why ebay has trouble dealing with it. FYI, if the issue was with the last seller you received feedback from, check their feedback profile page. There is ample proof they not only use fake tracking, but they also violate other ebay selling policies as well. Their feedback percentage alone would have scared me off and hopeful your report will cause them to be banned.
For possible future use open the link below and read what you can do to get the info you need to successfully appeal an INR that was turned down. It also helps if you signup to receive the Free enhanced tracking info from; USPS Informed Delivery, FedEx Delivery manager or UPS My Choice. The info you get from them can give you the info you need to appeal without jumping through hoops.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Need-advice-item-not-received/m-p/34621715#M496499
FYI, the links to ebay's social media platforms is in the next post in that topic. The social media reps are actual ebay employees who can do things and take actions that ebay's standard hired 3rd party call/chat center reps cannot.
ittybitnot
·1 year agoNot many but some, and it looks like the average buyer has no idea how to handle a situation like this.
@gurlcat
Since eBay has no policy page or published method for redress for victim of the fake tracking scam, they don't have much of an idea on how to handle this. Typically, the closest choice in the dropdown menu to file a claim is "item not received". That is the kiss of death for the buyer since there is tracking showing "delivered" even if it is fake. Any INR claim is going to be denied, no matter where you file it.
Suggestions have been to file a "not a described" case instead. Get a label and ship back a package of AIR or a refund. It is one of the most expedient.
Another option would be to contact eBay through one of the social media portals. They are well versed in this issue, and of late have not been so strict in their requirements of the buyer as they were in the past.
One can file with PayPal, but must choose "shipped to wrong address" instead of INR. PayPal added that option to deal with this scam, and was certainly more helpful than eBay since they were not adverse to contacting the carriers when appropriate. Of course, your eBay case will be closed if this is chosen.
One can also file a credit card chargeback. Again, the buyer should not claim INR, but rather Fraud/fake tracking scam. Otherwise the INR claim will be forwarded to eBay, who responds with the same phony delivery confirmation, and the buyer will lose again.
For your reading pleasure, here is this years "wall of shame". If you need more I have almost 200 from last year not including all the "me too" members that posted to those threads . Will be glad to send them to you, but you get the idea. Understand that this scam can be traced back in the forums for over a decade. It is still one of the most successful for the criminals that use it. This is from only the buyer board. Since they say that only a small percentage of eBay users ever visit the boards, it would be interesting to know how many victims there actually are that never came here for help. Glad you got it solved.
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
Feb. 2025
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
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Tracking-numbers-Can-you-provide-the-street-address-for-the/m-p/34964434#M515361
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Getting-scammed-by-seller-sending-tracking-info-showing/m-p/34974405#M515806
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Tracking-number-scams-why-is-Ebay-enabling-sellers-for-this/m-p/34973232#M515749
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/seller-Post-remarkable-pro-is-a-scam/m-p/34971789#M515703
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Amazon-now-better-than-eBay/m-p/34983865#M516181
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Buying-on-eBay-has-become-unbearable/m-p/34984852#M516206
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Shipment-not-received-Label-didn-t-have-my-address-on-it-but/m-p/34985134#M516230
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Got-scammed-by-a-seller-and-eBay-sided-with-the-scammer-for-both/m-p/34985593#M516238
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/My-negative-review-was-removed-I-am-unable-to-contact-ebay-and/m-p/34992301#M516558
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/eBay-appeal/m-p/34994790#M516756
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-got-scam-by-a-seller-his-not-willing-to-give-me-a-refound/m-p/34997184#M516907
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-did-not-receive-my-item-and-eBay-is-refusing-to-resolve-Their/m-p/35007758#M517275
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Scammers-on-e-bay-using-tracking-numbers-that-have-been-skimmed/m-p/35005691#M517177
April 2025
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/How-do-I-report-a-possible-scam-to-Ebay/m-p/35017555#M517689
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Victim-of-Tracking-Number-Scam-What-to-do-next/m-p/35019117#M517785
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/wrong-address/m-p/35028116#M518283
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/HALLPPP-I-ve-been-defrauded-What-to-do/m-p/35028633#M518342
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Ebay-doesnt-care-about-buyers-cant-not-take-my-refund-in-a-item/td-p/35029246
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Zip-code-scam/m-p/35042036#M519144
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Pkg-delivered-to-wrong-address-don-t-know-where-pkg-went/m-p/35046254#M519411
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Sketchy-seller-scamming/m-p/35050675#M519618
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/The-seller-misrepresentation-and-the-item-bought-never-arrived/m-p/35047569#M519467
powell-collectibles
·1 year agoAbsolutely - filing for INAD is the effective and low effort solution. It is the only solution that really provides a financial penalty to the scamming seller.
if this ever happens to me, I’m sending back garbage so that no one can accuse me of sending back an empty box.
stephenmorgan
·1 year ago............................
gurlcat
OP1 year agoWow I've never had a Facebook consultation started and finished this fast, LOL!!
Now, I don't know if the seller was scared enough by my last reply to him to actually refund me himself, or if it was because of the report I had done already (via the '3 dots' on the message page, for anyone curious). And I know better than to REALLY hope they'll shut this guy down, but at least I know I've done all I could.
I'll self-select this as Best Answer just so it doesn't draw time away from any other posters needing help.
pikabo-icu
·1 year ago@gurlcat
All the best info here: https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Sketchy-seller-scamming/m-p/35050675
Sorry you are dealing with this!!
Also report them https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/resolving-issues-sellers/report-issue-seller?id=4022