Fake Tracking Numbers

[cindy78]

I just wanted to reach out to the eBay Community about a problem that I have run into twice. I have been on eBay since 1999 and this issue has recently come up. I purchased an item from a seller on eBay. I paid with the option of PayPal. I received a tracking number. The tracking number comes back that the delivery will be in my ZIP Code it will not indicate my exact address. The tracking number will show delivered to a different address in the same ZIP Code. I went to that address, which was our local fire department and they did receive a package with that tracking number, but for an item from a company that has nothing to do with eBay. Enforcement was contacted, And they explained to me that what is happening is that these warehouses have some sort of a connection and will retrieve a tracking number that is going to the same ZIP Code and use that as a post to the seller and when we complain that we didn’t receive the item they just say well it was delivered. Go figure it out. this is a new scam. A questionable seller on eBay has a connection at FedEx UPS or USPS and will retrieve these tracking numbers and utilize them. They will collect the money from us as buyers on eBay and then when PayPal gets involved, they say well it shows delivered . So nutshell the scam is stolen numbers for items that will arrive in the same. ZIP Code that is provided to us. Just wanted to get that out there -

[mudshark61369]

@cindy78,

We are all aware of the Fake tracking scam, it has been happening for several years now. Almost daily there is a topic about it on one of the boards. The scam works because 

 eBay's automated INR system is not allowed access to anything but the scan information, due to shipping company's privacy policies. The computer checks the tracking number looking  for a Delivered scan and if one is there, it closes a dispute in favor of the seller.

   When you file an initial dispute it will be closed in favor of the seller.  In the message you receive telling you that, there should  be an appeal button.  You have 30 days from losing the dispute to appeal, but in order to win you have to do some leg work. How you can get the information you need depends on the shipping agency.

     If the seller used UPS or FedEx, they take photos of delivery addresses which you should be able to see if you run the tracking number through their sites. If the ebay or agency basic tracking info does not have a photo, you may need to sign up for FedEx's Delivery Manager,  UPS' My Choice advanced tracking services. They are free. While you are at it you may as well sign up for USPS Informed Delivery.  I suggest creating an email account only for those services, since USPS Informed delivery sends massages every day.

If the photo is not of your residence or work place,  When you appeal you can send a link of the tracking information with the photo. Then ask the rep to do a Google map search for your registered address and compare the map image to the delivery photo. That should be enough for a rep to overturn the original decision.  For Informed Delivery, sending links for the Date of Delivery and the next day as well.  Sometimes a package shows out for delivery, but is not delivered until the next day. If the info doesn't show a package being sent to your address on either day, that will help.

If the appeal gets turned down you can post about the problem on one of their social media sites (Links Below).  You need the seller's username and the ebay item number, you can post links from the shipper's tracking to the message.  Sign it with your real and ebay username. Those reps have the authority to overturn any previous decision and issue refunds.

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

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

https://x.com/askebay

In the future I suggest checking each seller's feedback profile page and on it click on the numbers of negatives and neutrals to read only those comments. People who did not file disputes may have posted comments saying items were not delivered to their residence. In most instances the sellers using fake tracking are from China or are new ones listing expensive and/or popular items at low prices.  

[mudshark61369]

OOPs,

I forgot to add, If you can't get help through ebay, and  paid through PayPal, they now have a "Shipped to wrong address" option that should be used in these situations. If you file with a Card provider you need to mention that the item was not sent to your address.  If you just say you didn't receive it they will go by the fake tracking info.