Seller used a fake tracking number, eBay rejected case, had to go to Twitter to get a resolution | Buying

dogs-in-space · 2025-12-17T12:54:44.084000Z

I bought this item: https://www.ebay.com/itm/336161414536The seller entered a tracking number for the item. When it showed as delivered, I did not receive the item.I check UPS.com. I logged in, and the tracking number did not appear in my inbound history. Packages sent to my address always show up in my inbound history.There was a proof of delivery photo for the tracking number. The photo showed the package sitting in a location that is not my address.I have experienced this before. This is a scam known as "FTID", or Fake Tracking ID. The seller has access to some resource that allows them to find a tracking number for some other shipment that arrives in my zip code. They then enter that for the tracking.The seller only wanted to communicate about this outside of eBay's messaging system, which I did not do.The seller's feedback shows that they have a history of this behavior. (I should have checked it first, I didn't. Their feedback is above 98%.)I submitted a case to eBay. They made me wait several days before I submitted the case. I then submitted:Order XX-XXXXX-XXXXXSeller provided UPS tracking 1Z.....1 marked "Delivered" (12/09/2025), but nothing arrived. Evidence shows it was shipped to a different address (Fake Tracking ID), not lost/misdelivered:1) In my UPS.com account, this tracking # does NOT appear in my Inbound History; packages to my address always appear.2) UPS Proof-of-Delivery photo shows a delivery spot that is clearly not my porch/home.3) eBay order page shows my correct shipping address.4) Seller pushed to communicate off-platform, is now unresponsive, and feedback suggests similar behavior.Please verify the ship-to address/ZIP with UPS, treat as FTID, and issue a refund/buyer protection.My UPS Inbound History (saved 12/13/2025): [imgur link]UPS Proof of Delivery: [imgur link]My address (lat x long), Google Street View: [imgur link]My porch where all packages are delivered: [imgur link]Within a short amount of time, I received this from eBay:We're sorry you had a problem with your purchase. However, the seller provided tracking information that shows the item was delivered to your address.After reviewing all the details of this case, we determined that you won't receive a refund.I have been on eBay since August 2000. This is the first time I have been a victim of a crime on the platform. I am beside myself with disbelief... eBay is not safe. All a seller needs to do is plug a tracking number in to an order that goes to your ZIP code, and they get away with theft.I submitted negative feedback. It did not appear. This makes me feel even further victimized, and makes the platform even that much more unsafe, as I cannot relate my experience as negative feedback. Other buyers looking at items from this seller will not know about what happened to me.Here's another punch to the gut: I tried to find this item from another seller, and I ordered it: https://www.ebay.com/itm/317477970432This seller did the exact same thing. The seller is not communicating or giving me a refund. So I guess I can expect that if I open a case on 12/19/25 with all of the same evidence, eBay will reject this case as well, and also censor my negative feedback.Where can I go from here? Can I do anything, or am I just a victim? I'm open to any suggestions.

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Seller used a fake tracking number, eBay rejected case, had to go to Twitter to get a resolution | Buying | eBay Community