Tracking scam
I believe I'm the victim of a tracking scam. I was given a false FedEx tracking number for a item was was delivered back in November, when the item I purchased was purchased on January 25.
I'm just wondering how should I go about getting my money back, I've heard that trying to claim the package hasn't arrived yet is a lost cause, because the seller will just provide the tracking number again to "prove" it was sent, so what should I do in this case? Any help is greatly appreciated.
8 comments
mudshark61369
·3 years ago@justmonika22
I'm happy to hear that you were able to contact ebay, and they will issue a refund.
justmonika22
OP3 years agoI messaged Ebay business on Facebook and I got a response a few hours later, they confirmed that FedEx tracking number was fraudulent and will issue me a refund within 3 business days, thank you who responded to the post, appreciate the help.
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoThat's good to hear.
With it being this long, I figured they would have said the MBG has expired and they wouldn't do anything.
ittybitnot
·3 years agoWith it being this long, I figured they would have said the MBG has expired and they wouldn't do anything.
@kensgiftshop
Maybe eBay gets charged "fees" for a credit card chargeback, so that may be why. That would be the next step for the OP. Tracking that shows "delivered" in November was sort of the BIG CLUE.....The buyer didn't purchase until Jan. 25, so you are correct in assuming that the OP was "cutting it close".
ittybitnot
·3 years agoa few hours later, they confirmed that FedEx tracking number was fraudulent....
....
@justmonika22
Thank you for the update! It is indeed most appreciated. Glad to hear the good news!
ittybitnot
·3 years ago@justmonika22
What @mudshark61369 told you is most often one of the correct procedures for this sort of thing. The eBay Money Back Guarantee becomes a giant FAIL in situations were the fake tracking scam is employed.
However, since the tracking number was marked as delivered even before you made your purchase, there is a chance that you can get eBay to help you NOW if you point that out.
Use the blue MESSAGE button here:
https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness
Give them your User ID, and a brief description of the phony tracking number problem, in that it was marked "delivered" before you even made the purchase. See what they say. Since even Ray Charles could see what is going on (he was blind and now deceased) perhaps eBay will spare you from the run around document gathering.
DO NOT DELAY. You have 30 days from the time of delivery.....LOL... to file a claim. Since the item you purchased in January, was delivered the previous November it will be interesting to see how this is going to be resolved.
Good luck, and do let us know how it turns out for you.
justmonika22
OP3 years agoThank you for the information, ebay still says that my product was "shipped" but never delivered, or even in transit, so I would assume that if Ebay itself is saying that my product never arrived, that I could still get a refund right? I messaged Ebay business on FB with all the info, and screenshots of the fake tracking number, and my purchase, so let's see how that goes.
mudshark61369
·3 years ago@justmonika22,
You purchased the item on January 25, and just now checked the tracking number? You are right about ebay's automated Item Not Received (INR) system denying your claim, because of the delivered scan on the tracking number you received. The automated system can ony look for the scan, it cannot access any other info because of Shipping company's privacy policies. However, it can be appealed when the claim is denied or you can contact ebay through their Facebook or Twitter social media sites to report the false tracking info which will be the quicker way to get a refund.
In order to win an appeal or to get a social media rep to issue a refund, you will have to do some leg work to gt the information you need.
You need to go to a local FedEx store. You will need to bring the ebay order details page which shows the tracking # and your shipping address, and the Date the purchase was made. You can bring your phone or pad if you use one to buy, or a print out of the page if you use a computer.
You ask the clerk to check the tracking info against the date the label was actually issued and the date of your purchase. Also to check the address on the label, against the one on the Details page, and the package info Type/Size/Weight.
If those things do not match, ask the clerk to write a note on FedEx stationary saying;
The label was issued before the day you made the purchase.
If applicable that the label address does not match the order Details address, and also that the package type/size/weight is not appropriate for what you should have received. Do not ask the clerk to write specific information since they can only give you general information. Have the clerk sign and date the note. Fed Ex clerks tend to not want to give that info, so if possible ask for the store manager or call ahead and find out when they will be working.
Once you have the note you can appeal the initial lost INR dispute, there will be an appeal button on the dispute page, or you can contact a rep through one of the social media outlets.
You write out basically what you wrote in your topic, about the trackinng number you received having been issued and scanned as delivered, before you made the purchase. You will need to give the seller's username and the 12 digit w/ no hyphens ebay item number of the item that did not arrive. You also have to give them your username real name and some contact info. Your ebay email address will work. You can add a Clear photo or a scan of the FedEx note to the claim.
The social media reps are familiar with the various fake tracking number scams, and will issue a refund.
https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness
https://twitter.com/askebay