A New Scam?

[6toedtabby]

I bought shipping boxes that didn't arrive, and I couldn't get a tracking number from seller.  I opened a case and on the very day Ebay was to step in to help, they sided with the seller as my item had been delivered.  I was so Gobsmacked, I phoned Ebay and they did give me a tracking number.  So the call is ended.  Ends up, the seller provided a FedEx tracking number that showed delivered to an address in a different city, different city, different name.  Ebay didn't even go to FedEx and discover this scam.  So when I phone back, I cannot telephone them and automated assistant didn't work either.  My only option was to send an email, which I did 30 hours ago. I've been on Ebay 25 years as both buyer and seller and have over 2,000 + feedback, no negatives.  They have 180 feedback with 3 negatives in the last month.  I am in shock.  From here on out, I guess I need to check feedback before buying an item.  It really does matter.  Thank you for reading my "vent".

[kensgiftshop]

You need to get a letter from FedEx stating that the package was not delivered to you, then use the letter to appeal the case.

[bonanza125]

It has happened to me as far as shipping boxes which weren't delivered to me. I had to take the loss. Your feedback doesn't matter to Ebay in this situation. It's what the tracking states. It's amazing how the agent couldn't trigger an investigation cause the zip code on file for delivery is completely different from the one delivered. 

[marshallbda]

The item purchased must be delivered to the address on your order invoice, either it was or it wasn't, seems like this should be a simple claim in your favour. I don't understand how Ebay could deny your claim unless you had the wrong/ an old address on your account when you purchased the item. If it were me I'd be sending them the proof to back my claim. 

[mudshark61369 · Accepted solution]

@6toedtabby,

This is not a new scam,it has been happening for several years and it is hard to get and transmit the information needed to win a dispute.

"I couldn't get a tracking number from seller. I opened a case and on the very day Ebay was to step in to help, they sided with the seller as my item had been delivered". 

When you opened the dispute, it would appear just above your purchase history. If there was not a tracking number showing in the Order details, the dispute would have been closed in your favor. Did you check the dispute or order details,  to see if the seller did upload one after you opened the dispute?

"I phoned Ebay and they did give me a tracking number. So the call is ended. Ends up, the seller provided a FedEx tracking number that showed delivered to an address in a different city, different city, different name".

You cannot phone ebay directly, you have to use the contact us button at the bottom of ebay pages to get a call back from a rep.  If you looked online for an ebay customer service number the ones you find are all scams.  Even if you got a call back, those reps work for a contracted 3rd party call center.  They have limited means for dealing with issues like yours and probably do not have internet access.

"Ebay didn't even go to FedEx and discover this scam. So when I phone back, I cannot telephone them and automated assistant didn't work either. My only option was to send an email, which I did 30 hours ago".

If you actually opened an Item Not Received (INR)  dispute through ebay, there would have been a message in the dispute telling you the dispute had been closed, but there would also be an Appeal button in it.  You have 30 days from the date a dispute is closed to Appeal the original decision.

  When you file an item not received dispute a tracking number provided by a seller, is looked at by a computer, that can only access the tracking info anyone who has the number can see. It looks for a Delivered scan, which is all of the info it is allowed to look for, because of FedEx's privacy policy. If it sees one it will close the dispute.

If you use the appeal button in the dispute you can write out what happened and provide links to saved screen shots, scans, or photos of information you can gather to the appeal. If you were told by FedEx the label address was not yours, in a phone call or email. ebay will not accept that information as emails can be faked, and FedEx will not give it out to anyone not a party to the shipping contract anyway.

The only way to reach a real ebay employee who can help you is to contact ebay through one of their social media sites. (links below)  Those reps are actual ebay employees and are very familiar with the fake tracking scams. They also have the ability to authorize refunds.

 You will need to provide the seller's username and the ebay item number. Write out what happened with the delivery only, and about there not being a tracking number uploaded to the order details until after a dispute was filed.

  Then provide the tracking number you were given, those reps can look at that info which should have a photo of the delivery address. Then ask them to do a street level map look up of your address to compare to the delivered photo.  Sign the message with your username and real name.  That should be enough information for them to issue you a refund.

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

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

https://x.com/askebay

"They have 180 feedback with 3 negatives in the last month. I am in shock. From here on out, I guess I need to check feedback before buying an item".

You have been an ebay member long enough to know to always check the feedback profile of a seller before buying from one, and never go by a feedback percentage alone. One of the problems with this scam is once you lose a dispute neither neutral or negative feedback can be left, which means the ones they received were left by members who did not open disputes. 

I suggest that you sign up for the enhanced tracking available from Shippers.  USPS Informed delivery, UPS My Choice,  FedEx Delivery Manager. It is a quicker way to get info that can be used with fake tracking scams.

[6toedtabby]

I have good news, Mudshark.  After both an appeal and a detailed email, the decision was changed in my favor and I received a refund - which the money itself wasn't the real issue.  I agree wholeheartedly that I sure as heck should know better and another saying my mom used to say "A fool and their money are soon parted."  Ebay also suggested I pay more attention to feedback and enhanced tracking with shippers of my choice suggested to sellers after purchase is made.  I appreciate all your suggestions as well and your time because "time is money" as we know.  And I've spent way too much time on this, for sure, but I just couldn't let it go and let them get away with it.  Which they came pretty close to doing.  In fact, they probably did keep the money and my refund was from Ebay.  I didn't know negative feedback could not be left once a case was opened.  Anyway, yep there is an abundance of fools (me included 🙂 Thank you for your help. Happy Holidays!

[quanfo]

Would someone kindly detail all the necessary steps in obtaining written evidence ACCEPTABLE TO EBAY to fight off the fake tracking/content schemes? e.g., how to ask carriers to provide shipping information to prove the following

1) whether the tracking number is yours or not

2) the weight and dimension of package (to match with intended contents)

3) photos/images of shipping label and package

What carriers will and will not do if approached for more needed info? Say, carriers reported the tracking number was not mine. Is this enough to satisfy Ebay? And if the tracking number was intended and addressed to me but I did not receive it, must carriers disclose all shipping info, e.g., weight, dimension, etc ...?

I signed up for USPS Informed Delivery and exactly how could I use the service to help my case?

Best,

quanfo

[mudshark61369]

@quanfo,

At the bottom of this reply is a link to a fake tracking scam post from 2023. It gives some info from back then and does explain why ebay still has trouble with the scam. Click on the Go To Best Answer button in the link to read what I wrote back then.

Unfortunately, ebay's first step when filing an item not received (INR) dispute does not allow for any of the info you might gather to be posted, so the initial dispute will get denied negating the possibility of leaving feedback even if you win on appeal.

"must carriers disclose all shipping info, e.g., weight, dimension, etc ...?".

No! as a matter of fact the only person they have to provide that info to is the sender, because it is they who formed a contract with the shipper for delivery.  They will sometimes provide the info to the Recipient/Addressee but they will only do that via email, which is not acceptable when filing an Appeal as step two for an INR dispute. 

I did post suggestions at the bottom of my last post on how to get proof of non delivery to your address which is signing up for the enhanced tracking info from USPS, FedEx, UPS. UPS & FedEx do provide photos of the delivery location, which can be used as proof of delivery to a different address.  USPS' info will show if a package was in your mail on the date of a Delivered scan, and photos are included, though sometimes it is wrong and you have to post the notification for both the day of delivery and the next one, because that info is sent from a regional facility before it reaches your P.O., and if the truck is delayed the package may not actually be delivered until the next day. 

FYI.  The social media info is out of date in the link below. You would use the ones I posted yesterday. Also when that was written getting to a seller's feedback profile only took one click.  The info about trying to get a letter on company stationary usually only works with the USPS, and sometimes a clerk or postmaster will not write the note, even to give general info.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Fake-Tracking-information/m-p/34266951#M475809

[quanfo]

Dear MudShark61369,

Much appreciated your detailed approach, and very educated stuff, to fight off the fake tracking scheme. I was exact the victim of such scheme on Mercari but fortunately, it was resolved in my favor. Anyhow, this time I am prepared to fight off another case on Ebay and I am determined to not lose the battle. It's a sad world we are in.

Best,

quanfo