Ebay tracking scam

[robbrew40]

So I am currently getting scammed on two different ebay purchases. The basic way the scam works is that you buy the item and nothing happens so you open a case, the seller than sends a tracking number that says it was delivered at some point and ebay immediately closes the case. The catch is that the package was not yours, they scrap UPS/USPS sites for any package that arrived in your town on those dates, because neither agency will provide the name or location of that package you can't prove to ebay that the package was meant for you. Actually, they will tell you that it was NOT addressed to you or any address you've ever lived but communicating that to ebay is basically impossible. I learned that the tracking number I got for one of them was for a package originating from a medical supply company to the local optometry office. Either way, they will immediately side with the seller and appealing doesn't even seem possible.

I managed to call and get an appeal but now Ebay wants me to sign something that says I swear I didn't receive it even though tracking "confirms delivery". The whole interaction is extremely sketchy, the document isn't even a formal document it's just some words in the footer of the persons email. The seller now has 6 negative feedbacks from this same listing that I purchased (it would be 7 but mine got removed). Is there a way to contact ebay such that they will resolve this? Everytime I manage to get through to a human on the phones they aren't helpful, I'm sure scammers are raking on this and it's enabled by how hard it is to get help.

[robbrew40]

I should also mention that both the local USPS postmaster general and the UPS employee explained that they see this scam "all the time" from ebay purchases. They stressed that tracking numbers can not a confirmation of delivery to you because it never reveals personal information such as recipient or address. 

[ittybitnot]

@robbrew40 

Traditionally , if you are victim of the "fake tracking" scam, dealing with regular customer service on this issue has not been very productive.  Though it does not work well with USPS, you can now see the details of the fake tracking number used against you if you filed an INR (item not received) and were denied.  This will show the origin, date, parcel weight/dimensions, and the street address to where the parcel was delivered. 

https://www.ship24.com/

Since this same scenario has been posted day after day here, I prepared a general ctrl/v post.  I may need to update it a bit, but you get the general idea:  

It appears you are a victim of the "fake tracking scam". When you file for item not received, and there is a record of "delivery", the automated system and the regular customer service will not validate the tracking and you lose. If you appeal with the same information, you will lose. If you file anywhere else for "item not received" you are likely to get the same result. Nobody is going to check to see that the tracking is for a parcel that was actually shipped before you even paid, or was for a 50 lb. box when your item was only 4 ounces. But all hope is NOT lost.

There is usually really good eBay money back guarantee protections in place

UNLESS you are a victim of the "fake tracking scam".

There is something you can do, but it is NOT going to involve calling or chatting with the lower tier eBay customer service anymore.

Just for starters, since you have the tracking number go here, and select the carrier and input the number>

This site just might show you exactly where the parcel was delivered, where it originated, when the parcel was entered into the system. its size and weight.

https://www.ship24.com/

Go check on it, and make a screen shot. The details should show the street address (not yours).

You can get help for your issue. Typically it requires that you have some documentation from the carrier that the tracking number is NOT related to a parcel shipped to your address. That is sometimes difficult to obtain. If your seller is already Naru'd that is a good thing, too. It means eBay already knows about the scamming adventures, and does not want to lose anymore of eBay's money as a result.

Basically, you are going to have to contact eBay via the big blue SEND MESSAGE button on this page:

https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

The eBay staff that monitors the messages here are well aware of the fake tracking scam. Better yet, they actually have the authority to do something about it. You will need to message with your name, contact information, user ID, item/transaction number, any documentation you may have. You need to mention that your 'seller' is no longer a registered user as well.

[robbrew40]

Thank you so much for that website, it revealed the destination (not somewhere I've ever lived). 

I don't understand how this is possible... everyone I've spoken to at shipping companies was like "oh yeah that old one" but ebay acts like it's some shortcoming on my end or like they are doing me a favor after I spend 3 days trying to deal with this?  It's absolutely crazy, do any ebay employees read these boards and are able to speak to it?

[robbrew40]

One of them is still a registered user. They've received 6 negative reviews on the listing I bought. I can't believe how difficult it is to get them to do the right thing.

[ittybitnot]

 do any ebay employees read these boards and are able to speak to it?

@robbrew40 

I have been here for about 23 years, and I KNOW that eBay reads these boards.  They don't often reply unless they are tagged.  Tagged eBay staff that do monitor the boards USED to be able to help.  Now they just tell you to contact customer service. ..... ( which likely already threw you under the bus????)

It appears the some of the "regular" customer service (not the ones you get on the Facebook link that have authority to help) reps are starting to at least respond without the usual INSISTING that "tracking shows delivered" after three or four appeals, but not always.  Progress?  Who knows.  There are cases of this very same thing on these boards going back to 2015, and there is a pending lawsuit for same. 

Good luck, and let us know how you fare. 




   

[robbrew40]

Thanks I'll keep it updated. I did manage to get the full ship to information for the UPS package. I've been contacted by what I think is the ebay customer support department (but the email looks super fishy and they'd like me to go to a link to the document uploader which apparently can't be navigated to from ebays site). They want me to sign something that says: 

The whole email looks just as unprofessional as that so it kind of screams scam. I also have a problem signing something that basically says that the package was delivered.

[coco9619]

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@robbrew40 wrote:

Is there a way to contact ebay such that they will resolve this?

Everytime I manage to get through to a human on the phones they aren't helpful

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Yes @robbrew40 get your refund in one step, like this:

You don't need an affidavit, a phone call, or that address on the package. Just leave a private message for eBay on Facebook here with your name and so on, and tell eBay you have a weight problem.

[ittybitnot]

@robbrew40 

That is the recent procedure when you are dealing with the "regular" customer service.   It won't hurt to do this.  If you are not refunded in a few days, you can try the F.Book route (it is usually quicker) as far as results go. 

[robbrew40]

Ok, well I've opened a facebook account to contact them. I've been getting emails from "customerhelp@ebay.com"  that keeps asking me to sign this document that swears that I didn't get the package even though it was delivered. I guess it's a scam but I'm kind of unclear how they decided to pursue me... it could be the original scammer but on their end they've already won the appeal so why bother?

I'll see if I get a response.

[kensgiftshop]

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@robbrew40 wrote:

Ok, well I've opened a facebook account to contact them. I've been getting emails from "customerhelp@ebay.com"  that keeps asking me to sign this document that swears that I didn't get the package even though it was delivered. I guess it's a scam but I'm kind of unclear how they decided to pursue me... it could be the original scammer but on their end they've already won the appeal so why bother?

I'll see if I get a response.

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If you didn't receive the item, sign the document saying you didn't receive the item.

[ittybitnot]

. I've been getting emails from "customerhelp@ebay.com"  that keeps asking me to sign this document that swears that I didn't get the package even though it was delivered.

@robbrew40 

See message #9 and #11

It is not a scam.  Sign/return the document

[robbrew40]

Are you sure? the document is just some words on the end of an email. There's no letterhead or real signature. They sent me a PDF of it on 3 in by 7 in. Googling customerhelp@ebay.com reveals tons of stories about this address being a scam. The link they want me to follow is "not accessible through ebay" when I asked and the email itself is littered with misspellings and strange language. Here is that particular exchange:

"I do understand the situation that you are going through as you did not receive your item to you. Furthermore, I do acknowledge the fact that you do not trust links, nowadays we only have ourselves to trust especially under the grasp of the internet, I do understand that you are just trying to be safe. But rest assured, I am an eBay specialist from the appeals department and I am willing to work with you. Here is my SR number as proof that this transaction happened here on eBay and eBay alone.  #SR-1-388601290514."

Furthermore, even if that part isn't a scam (which I think it is), the document doesn't only say that I didn't get the card (which I didn't), it also heavily implies that the card WAS delivered and that "tracking confirms delivery" which it does not. If it wasn't this communication would be happening through ebay, not email.

[ittybitnot]

 the document doesn't only say that I didn't get the card

@robbrew40 

I know what you are saying.  We have seen this "document" a few times already.  Though the wording is indeed not ideal, this is the form you get when you deal with the regular customer service channel.  Those that have signed it anyway, got their refund.  If it makes you uncomfortable, just go the Send Message on the facebook page linked upthread, explain the problem,  and deal with it there.  I don't think they will be upset when you add the screenshot along with your issue/timeline/tracking info,  saying you think the communication may be phony as well.   Good luck.  Let us know how it turns out. 

[robbrew40]

Cool thank you for your help! I appreciate it.