Possible seller fraud... Help

Screenshot 2026-04-17 131521.png Purchased a $400 lego set and unfortunately didn’t do my diligence with the seller. The listing was very detailed and appeared completely authentic. However I later saw that this was a brand new profile, no reviews, only item they’re selling, stock images, rejected my cancellation, no return policy, won’t respond to any of my messages, the list goes on and on. I take full responsibility and I should’ve checked beforehand. Oh, and the seller's account is "no longer a registered user" as of today.

I’ve been doing some digging on possible eBay frauds and I’m not sure what to expect with this one. The original listing said it would ship somewhere from Indiana, however, as the screenshot shows, it was dropped off in NH, and the return shipping address is “Ebay INC” with the address as their headquarters in CA. Never seen this before. The confusing aspect is that it is a legit UPS tracking number and it's allegedly being shipped to my correct address, which I confirmed with UPS on the phone. Really not sure what to make of this.

Also, before the seller shipped I got on the phone with eBay support and they were very reassuring that I would be covered by eBay’s money back guarantee. Now if the item doesn't arrive at all, turns out to be fake, or just not at all what I ordered, will I even be able to return it since the return address is eBay itself?? What if the tracking shows delivered but nothing shows up? I really don't want be out $400 for nothing, and I know there is a very specific order in how to go about these things. I don't want to mess it up.

I am curious if anyone else has seen or been in a similar situation and has any tips on what to do, if anything. My guess is that I’ll just have to wait and see what happens, but would love to hear any thoughts if I could jump the gun. Thanks.

jhoffma_3

37 View listings

Posted 4 months ago · Edited 4 months ago·Last reply 4 months ago

5 comments

mudshark61369

·4 months ago

"There is no such thing as foolproof, because fools are so darned ingenious" (unknown)3111 View listings

@jhoffma_3 ,

The tracking info you've received shows UPS has the item, but you do not know if it is addressed to you. It may help to get ahead of a Fake Tracking scam if you go to the UPS site, create an account, then sign up for their My Choice enhanced tracking info. Once you do that if you do not receive an email message from saying a package is coming to you with the estimated delivery date, within a few days, you will know You've been scammed.

If the ebay tracking shows Delivered, in your zip code, but you do not receive anything, and do as @lady_madonna suggested. eBay's automated system will deny the dispute, claim. In the note you receive saying that, will be an Appeal button. You can write a note in the appeal saying the item was not delivered to your home but also mentioning that the seller was removed by ebay. The removal should allow a refund to be sent from the seller's account.

In the future Always check a seller's feedback profile page before buying from one, no matter what their feedback percentage is, and check a listing's info carefully to look for contradictions in it.

ryry-jj

·4 months ago

1913 View listings

If you receive the item, great...if it isnt what you ordered, then file for an "item not described" Since the seller is no longer registered, it is an easy case, nothing to even return. As far as the return address goes, doesn't matter as long as that is what prints out on the labels for returns.

And I'm sure no money ever passed to this seller

lady_madonna

·4 months ago

Volunteer Ebay Mentor1039 View listings

If item not received: One day after the estimated date of delivery has passed, file a Refund Request:

Go to your My Ebay page >> Purchase history

Select “More actions” beside your item and then “I didn't receive it.”
Click the box beside I want a refund.
Select Send request.

If the seller does not respond to the refund request, after 3 business days you can ask Ebay to step in to help you.

Find the item in your Purchase History
Select See request details
Select “Ask eBay to step in.”

If need to file return request due to item not as described:

Within 30 days from date of delivery, go to your Purchase History, find the item, and under “More actions” click on “Return item” and select the reason for the return. Attach a photo.
IF your request is approved, the seller will have 3 business days to either accept the return and provide a prepaid return shipping label OR refund without having you return the item.
If they don't do either, you can go back to your Return Request details 4 business days after you filed the Request and ask Ebay to step in.

soh.maryl

·4 months ago

110 View listings

Per the MBG, if you do not receive it by the last estimated delivery date, you can open an item not received case with eBay.

If you do receive it, but it's not as described, you can open an item not as described case with eBay. You are well protected by the Money Back Guarantee.

mamacassidy

·4 months ago

3192 View listings

You will be covered one way or another.

Right now, all you can do is wait. If a different item shows up, you just open a return for Item Not As Described. You will be refunded. Because the seller is no longer a registered user, I would guess ebay will just refund you right away, but I can't say for sure.

If they require you to send something back (which I seriously doubt), just send back whatever you received to the address that prints on the return label. I think the reason the address is showing the ebay San Jose location is because the seller is no longer registered. But again, I seriously doubt you will have to send anything back.

Worst case scenario is you do a chargeback with your bank/ credit card company. But I don't think that'll be necessary at all.

(I've never encountered your situation, so what I'm saying is speculation based on how the return system has worked for me in the past with Item Not As Described returns.)