Stolen Tracking Number Scam
Well looks like I ran into my first one on here for a $1000 item. I have had this happen on Aliexpress where the seller will put a fake USPS number then days later add a real UPS or FedEx number that will end up delivered but not for you so I know how it works. So what is the solution on eBay? Say item is not described and send an empty box? Or should I call eBay or dispute with credit card?
5 comments
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@fantum.games,
"I have had this happen on Aliexpress where the seller will put a fake USPS number then days later add a real UPS or FedEx number that will end up delivered but not for you".
I'll lay odds that if you check your seller's feedback profile you will find they are either located in or drop ship from China or a Chinese owned warehouse in the U.S. Just like Aliexpress, They may even have feedback saying items were not delivered to a buyer's address. Chinese sellers are the biggest perpetrators of the scam.
Since the fake tracking scam happens on other sites one way to get information you can use to win disputes or appeals is to sign up for the Free enhanced tracking services provided by;
USPS - Informed Delivery, FedEx - Delivery Manager, UPS - My Choice.
mudshark61369
·1 year ago@fantum.games,
"So what is the solution on eBay? Say item is not described and send an empty box? Or should I call eBay or dispute with credit card"?
Calling ebay is a useless gesture since their phone reps work for a contracted 3rd party call/chat center and the play book they read from does not cover the fake tracking scam. FYI you cannot call ebay directly you have to go to the bottom of any ebay page and on the right click on the Contact us button, then fill in info and request a call back.
If you skip contacting ebay and file with your credit card company it can take a fair amount of time to get a refund and you lose your ebay MBG protections. Because of the item's cost ebay could limit your use of the MBG if you do not try filing a dispute through them.
What may work best is to contact ebay through their social media outlets. Before doing that try contacting the shipping agency whose tracking number was provided. If It was FedEx or UPS, see if you can get an email with the delivery address photo in it sent to you. Also try asking for the GPS coordinates. If the item was delivered by USPS you can try following the information in the link below on how to get a note on USPS stationary that you can scan and attach to a social media message, When yuo open the link, click on the Go To Best Answer button to read the reply with the info. The social media contacts are one reply above or below that answer.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Need-advice-item-not-received/m-p/34621715#M496499
simba6
·1 year agoI always worry about the not as described route. The problem is the credit card way can take six months or longer. You would be tipping your hand if you called eBay and they did not help with it.
Looks like the not as described case is the first attack. You can then go to your card company as they allow a much longer time to file. Get a letter from the shipper saying that tracking is not to your address. An email will do. Keep calling until you get a rep to help. Each call gets a different one.
I went the CC route and won but it took several months. It was not an eBay sale by the way.
This is the fastest growing scam on eBay right now.
fantum.games
OP1 year agoThanks for the response. Yeah on Aliexpress I did dispute my credit card and that took 2 months. I guess I'll just do each route possible until I can win. Will wait and see responses of anyone doing the item not described route as if ebay has protection guaranteed that might be fastest. Sucks as this scam is just too good since shipping companies won't give out the address tied to the tracking number.
simba6
·1 year agoThey will give a letter saying it's not to your address. That is all that is needed.
The scam goes back over fifteen years now. Started out it was rare to see but today, I see it almost every day on these boards.