Seller is a Liar and Cheat

A week ago I reported a seller for sending my purchase to the incorrect shipping address. I even called the USPS and was told that the item was delivered to the address on the package-- but that it wasn't addressed with my correct address. Therefore, the mis-delivered mail was the seller's fault. I reported this to Ebay and opened a case after the seller didn't respond to me. Ebay called me back, took my report, and the agent was sympathetic and seemed to understand the situation. I was confident all would be settled and that the seller would ship out a replacement or issue a refund.

A couple of days later the seller messaged me that they'd sent a replacement. Twice I asked for a tracking number but got no reply either time. Today was the deadline Ebay gave me to ask for them to step in with the Ebay guarantee, so just as I went to Ebay to do that, I got a notice that the seller had opened a claim-- showed Ebay the tracking that the USPS provided (which doesn't actually list the address, just the zip code)-- and Ebay ruled in his favor! Unbelievable! How can the seller open a case when I had already opened one? Furthermore, clearly this person is a liar because he told me that he'd sent a replacement!

Now I can't get Ebay to respond. No return phone call. I completed an appeal, but I have no way to document that the seller sent it to the wrong address. The USPS says that federal law prohibits them from sharing the recipient's address, so I can't submit that as proof. Therefore the supposed "USPS tracking" shows it was delivered. Ebay believes this is true. It was delivered-- but to the incorrect address!

nanmagill

1093 View listings

Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 1 year ago

25 comments

mudshark61369

·1 year ago

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

@nanmagill,

"The USPS says that federal law prohibits them from sharing the recipient's address, so I can't submit that as proof. Therefore the supposed "USPS tracking" shows it was delivered. Ebay believes this is true. It was delivered-- but to the incorrect address!"

The Federal privacy law applies to all of the final destination shippers in the U.S., which is what makes it hard for ebay to do anything about the scam. It may be too late now to do anything about it but If you go to your local post office, bring a copy of your order details page which shows your address and the tracking number with you. If you bought using a phone or tablet, you can bring that to show the clerk the order details.

You want to ask the clerk to check the label address against yours on the order details page, and also to check the Package type/size/weight info to see if was is appropriate for what you should have received. If you can look up the Mfr.'s specifications for the item and bring that with you as well.

If the info does not match up, you ask the clerk or Postmaster to write a note on USPS stationary saying in general that the shipping label's address was not the same as the one on your ebay Order Details page, and if applicable that the package type/size/weight was not right for what you should have received. Do not ask them to write specific address or package info, they cannot give it out. Have the clerk or Postmaster print their name then sign and date the note.

Some clerks or postmasters will refuse to write a note, so you can try asking them for the GPS coordinates or call the USPS customer service and after telling the rep what has happened ask them if they will give you the GPS location of the delivery. Then using www.gps-coordinates.net you can get the delivery location and your GPS coordinates.

With a note and/or GPS info you can try contacting ebay through their social media platforms. (links below).

The reps who respond to messages there are actual ebay employees who have the power to overturn previous dispute decisions and issue refunds. You can add clear photos or a scan of the note, or give them the GPS location of the delivery and ask the rep to check it using the link above against your addresses GPS coordinates. They may be willing to issue a courtesy refund.

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/

Use the private message option on FB.

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

https://x.com/askebay

Because the scam has become more wide spread, you can sign up to get enhanced delivery info for free from USPS Informed Delivery, FedEx Delivery Manager and UPS My Choice.

The information those services provide do have info that can be used to prove delivery elsewhere if you go directly to social media if this happens in the future.

From helping people deal with this issue, I've found that about 95% of the fake tracking scams are perpetrated by China based sellers, so not buying from them in the future might reduce the possibility of being scammed again. Checking seller's feedback profile pages can tell you if a seller has done this before, and where they registered from. Because many of them are registered in the U.S. it can be hard to ferret them out. In the link below you can click on the Go To Best Answer button to see how to recognize the supposed U.S. based chinese sellers.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Ask-a-Mentor/Item-advertised-as-quot-located-in-US-quot/m-p/34773504#M783428

nanmagill

OP1 year ago

1093 View listings

Iâ€™ve used Informed Delivery for years, and unfortunately it doesnâ€™t show additional information enhanced in any way. It simply shows the tracking.

Iâ€™ve been an Ebay customer for 26 years and do pay attention to sellersâ€™ feedback profiles; this one- â€œonetenmartâ€ - seemed a little iffy at 98.2, but I thought it was okay. Now I see how he avoids getting more negative reviews; he requests Ebay block themâ€” and they comply. (Crazy!)

Thank you for the info about Chinese sellers. My personal policy is to buy only from U.S. based sellers, so Iâ€™ll definitely look at that.

ittybitnot

·1 year ago

18 View listings

@nanmagill

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.

For your reading pleasure (this is just from this year so far on this one board):

Jan. 2025

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

April 2025

May 2025

nanmagill

OP1 year ago

1093 View listings

Thank youâ€” so very appreciated!

rdh2312

·1 year ago

76 View listings

I wish I had started here but unfortunately when I got the delivered notice with incorrect address I placed an item not received and sent a response to seller (in Asia) that he sent to the wrong address.

does it matter that FedEx was the deliverer?

ittybitnot

·1 year ago

18 View listings

does it matter that FedEx was the deliverer?

@rdh2312

No. If you, due to the plan you select to get your refund, are required to get documentation from the carrier, you will need to get if from FedEx.

soh.maryl

·1 year ago

110 View listings

You have given a lot of useful information to help the OP. But I have to ask, how will an "item not as described" case work if the OP actually received nothing? "Ship back a package of air"?

ittybitnot

·1 year ago

18 View listings

But I have to ask, how will an "item not as described" case work if the OP actually received nothing?

@soh.maryl

eBay, through their system, is INSISTING the buyer got the product. All they do is check that there is a record of delivery. The bots do not even check to see the tracking was initiated before the item was even purchased, or if the delivery notice was for a 2 oz. envelope, when the buyer purchased a laptop.

Filing an eBay case for "item not received" is denied. They have been denied for years, about 15 years now from reading here, and eBay does not care if their money back guarantee is a total failure in this situation. Filing an INR with PayPal or your credit card will be denied as well, since eBay responds with the same phony delivery confirmation (that nobody checks) either.

So rather than play the eBay denial aka the criminal wins game, some have found that filing a SNAD case instead of INR (they can be filed even if an INR claim is denied) more expedient and just as effective as the original "crime" was for both the crook and eBay alike. Forcing the crooked seller to pony up a return label or send money in advance for the return typically results in a faster solution of the desired and predictable result of "we found in favor of the buyer" than other methods.

eBay has not cared what is in the parcel that has been "returned", and has not for many years.  So returning a box of "air" or the proverbial rock will suffice. A victim rarely gets a return label, and will end up with a refund instead.

So to put it simply, the item becomes "not as described" because it was missing parts/pieces. The fact it was ALL the parts and pieces doesn't make any difference with this claim choice.

soh.maryl

·1 year ago

110 View listings

Thank you for your explanation. It's good to hear that the OP does have an option.

house*of*paws

·1 year ago

779 View listings

@soh.maryl wrote:
You have given a lot of useful information to help the OP. But I have to ask, how will an "item not as described" case work if the OP actually received nothing? "Ship back a package of air"?

Yup. You put the nothing you received in an envelope or box â€¦ and attach the shipping label to the outside.

I suppose you can accompany the nothing with a tangible item â€¦ maybe a typed description of the â€˜fake tracking number scamâ€™ so that seller knows you know what they did. ðŸ˜‰

Personally, I prefer to go through my credit card company rather than file the ethically ambiguous NAD claim â€¦ but either will likely lead to a refund.

cliquotscloset

·1 year ago

746 View listings

Donâ€™t know if itâ€™s ok to pile on here but it seems like you are the person who can guide me. I have a similar issue but I believe it was an honest mistake as they have literally thousands of positive reviews and the tracking shows delivery to a zip code about 3000 miles away.

I took screeenshots of the order showing my shipping address in Louisiana and the eBay Item Delivered page showing it was delivered to Washington state. I sent them to the seller and asked how to proceed but havenâ€™t heard back. It was over $300 so Iâ€™m getting very nervous.

any advice appreciated

ittybitnot

·1 year ago

18 View listings

I took screeenshots of the order showing my shipping address in Louisiana and the eBay Item Delivered page showing it was delivered to Washington state.

@cliquotscloset

If you scroll up and review message #6, it gives you some of the options on what to do. I might look at option "b" and contact eBay via one of their social media links first thing in the morning. Explain that your parcel was delivered to the wrong address in the wrong state, and ask for their assistance. You can upload the screenshot that you have. Let us know how it goes. In the meantime read about the other options you have in case this doesn't work out.

tinsoldierunderground

·1 year ago

638 View listings

With these tracking scams, as long as the item was delivered in your zip code, ebay initially rules it as delivered in an INR (item not received) case. Ebay can't see where it was delivered anymore than you can.

In order to fight this as an INR case, you'd need written documentation from the local post office stating that the item wasn't delivered to your address, and that the package wasn't addressed to you. It's a few hoops to jump through, but if you present that information to ebay, you should be well on your way to a refund.

The shortcut would be to do as kensgiftshop states.

kensgiftshop

·1 year ago

389 View listings

@nanmagill

The seller didn't open a case, they just responded to the INR with the tracking that shows it was delivered.

Right, USPS can't tell you the address is was shipped to.

They can send you a letter stating that the package with that tracking number was not addressed to you.

Since the INR failed, try opening a return and selecting the item doesn't match the description.

I know you didn't receive anything to return, but it's the best way to beat these scammers.

nanmagill

OP1 year ago

1093 View listings

Thatâ€™s right. I misspoke; the seller didnâ€™t open a case. The seller first responded to my case by saying he was sending a replacement. After I asked for the new tracking number, the seller submitted the USPS tracking to EBay and asked them to block my feedback and close the case. eBay agreed.,

12345jamesstamps

·1 year ago

8688 View listings

'block your feedback'...before you give it or delete it after you gave it.

I don't think a seller can block feedback before it's given.

A seller responds to a buyer claim and eBay makes the decision on what is going on.

A seller can't tell eBay to 'close the case'.

And if the case is close eBay will send 'you' the reason for the outcome...which we haven't seen.

nanmagill

OP1 year ago

1093 View listings

He did though. He told Ebay that Iâ€™d left negative feedback (I hadnâ€™t yet) and requested that my feedback be blocked. So when I attempted to leave feedback I noticed that most of the usual questions were missing, and after I submitted, my feedback wasnâ€™t showing up in the sellerâ€™s ratings.

soh.maryl

·1 year ago

110 View listings

Couldn't happen.

house*of*paws

·1 year ago

779 View listings

@kensgiftshop wrote:
Right, USPS can't tell you the address is was shipped to.

@kensgiftshop

When I encountered a slew of â€˜fake tracking number scamsâ€™ â€¦ I was surprised that all 3 major shipping companies (USPS, FedEx, and UPS) provided me with a printout of the tracking info that included the actual name and address of the recipients that received a package with my tracking number on it.

This was in late 2022-early 2023.

kensgiftshop

·1 year ago

389 View listings

@house*of*paws wrote:
@kensgiftshop wrote:
Right, USPS can't tell you the address is was shipped to.

@kensgiftshop
When I encountered a slew of â€˜fake tracking number scamsâ€™ â€¦ I was surprised that all 3 major shipping companies (USPS, FedEx, and UPS) provided me with a printout of the tracking info that included the actual name and address of the recipients that received a package with my tracking number on it.

This was in late 2022-early 2023.

Might depend on who you talk to.

They are not supposed to give out the address, but some might/will.

house*of*paws

·1 year ago

779 View listings

@kensgiftshop

I fully expected NOT to receive all the personal information I did â€¦ from ALL the shipping companies.

I concluded that it probably was just the difference in time it would take to compose a new statement versus merely copying already-collected data.

I gotta say all the extra information was helpful in proving/ verifying fraud, since it was obvious that the â€˜Ship fromâ€™ company would never have sold the item I ordered.

nanmagill

OP1 year ago

1093 View listings

And they usually supply photo proof of delivery. USPS does nothing of the sort, unfortunately.

doc-holmes

·1 year ago

1230 View listings

What type of claim did the seller open? I am unaware of any type of a seller claim.

nanmagill

OP1 year ago

1093 View listings

Iâ€™m sorry, I misspoke. The seller first responded to my case by saying he was sending a replacement. After I asked for the new tracking number, the seller submitted the USPS tracking to EBay and asked them to block my feedback and close the case. eBay agreed.,

titipeo

·1 year ago

714 View listings

Suggest you google game tracking scam and read up on how to fight it. Others will chime in with more details. You submitted item not received claim, and seller responded with delivered tracking, albeit to another address in your same zip code