Warning: Seller Uses Fraudulent Tracking to Scam Buyers

[georg-danil]

I want to alert the eBay community about a seller, who is running a sophisticated scam using false tracking numbers to mark orders as "delivered" without actually shipping the purchased item.

Here’s how the scam works:

• The seller does not provide tracking information after the order is placed, as legitimate sellers do. Instead, after several days, they mark the order as delivered, and only then does the buyer see a tracking number.

• The tracking number they use corresponds to a different package—one with a different weight and recipient—delivered to someone else in the same city as the buyer.

• Because a delivery confirmation exists (even though it’s fraudulent), eBay’s automated system sides with the seller, making it almost impossible for the buyer to get a refund.

This scam suggests that the seller may have access to FedEx or eBay databases to match tracking numbers with unrelated deliveries in the buyer’s city, making it seem like the package was received.

The seller has many listings with different images, and it’s likely that they are just placeholders for non-existent products. I’m sharing this to warn others before they fall into the same trap.

Be cautious when buying from this seller. I wasn’t, and now I’m dealing with the headache of trying to get my money back. If you've had a similar experience, please report it to eBay to help prevent more buyers from being scammed.

[eastlaneave · Accepted solution]

@georg-danil 

I'm very sorry that happened.

First, call the post office (or Fedex) to see if the tracking number label had your name and address on it. If you can get written proof, all the better.

If your name wasn't on that label,
I want you to try Customer Service and tell them you had a "false tracking number" on your purchase and request a refund.

Use one of these Customer Service access points:

- https://www.facebook.com/ebay

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

Just sent a private message to the page.

(If you don't have Facebook or Instagram, try here for a call back
https://www.ebay.com/help/eua?id=5275&mkevt=1&mkpid   )

Please reply back to let me know how it goes. I can continue to provide advice.

[georg-danil]

Thank you so much for your generosity, but I suggest directing your advice to eBay rather than to me and other buyers.

eBay has created a trading platform where scammers thrive while neglecting their “Money Back Guarantee” policy. There are several simple steps to prevent this type of fraud. One very basic measure is to ensure that a seller provides a tracking number several days before an order is marked as delivered. That alone would be enough to stop this scam. If the opposite happens, it’s clearly fraud.

There are additional steps eBay could take to enhance security, and it’s their responsibility to implement them.

eBay faces strong competition, and its owners should keep this in mind if they want their business to stay afloat.

[eastlaneave]

@georg-danil 

I know this is frustrating.

I have and am currently addressing this issue with eBay, to the best of my ability.

Meanwhile, if you follow the steps I provided above, you can get a refund. Getting that refund from eBay also brings this issue to eBay's attention.

I am a fellow buyer and seller on eBay and I volunteer my time here to help buyers and sellers.