I just got scammed and I don’t know how to proceed.

[mirror-in-the-attic]

I made the mistake of order a camera from a seller who only sold 2 items.   The original items were from Brazil but the item I purchased was out of NY.

I ordered it, and within 15 minutes I asked to cancel but the seller simply did not respond. (I know this is their prerogative)     

Once the seller uploaded tracking, I saw there were 2 tracking numbers.  I asked them why and they said UPS made a mistake but the right package is coming to me.

I have been awaiting the package (was about 700) today and received a notice the item was delivered.   With signature with a name that is not me nor even a persons name,

I reached out to the seller (within 30 minutes of the items signature delivery) but have not received any response.  Additionally, both of the tracking numbers they provided show delivered to me.   One package is 35 lbs and the other is 2 lbs (neither of which would be for a camera.

I reached out to UPS who said the seller has to initiate a claim.   I know I cannot open up an INR claim because they will upload tracking and I will lose the claim.

what can I do?  I looked at their history, they sold 2 sweaters from Brazil, identical sweaters the beginning of this month, and then this camera, from NY.    That is it and I am convinced they did this to “legitimize” themselves as a seller.

can someone tell me how I should proceed?

[bonjourami]

You need to get a statement from the shipping company that neither pkg was delivered to your address or signed by you. They wont tell you to whom it was delivered, thats not necessary. Provide that statement to Ebay to appeal an item not received case. You can always go to Ebay for Business on Facebook and talk to them too, use the message link there, I found them to be very helpful. Good luck.

https://www.facebook.com/ebay#

[chevymontecarlo88]

Good advice from @bonjourami !

Contact the Facebook group. 

[mirror-in-the-attic]

I was able to confirm with UPS that neither the name or address is my own.

He told me the name of the sender of the package and then gave me a “fraud investigation team” number but when I call it, turns out it is just the main number again.   Which I am now on the 10 minute hold to talk to someone else .

This is a loophole that is dangerous because we are out of luck when the package shows delivered.  

I was able to get the rep to email me a statement basically saying the tracking numbers were not associated with my name or address.    I hope this will be enough.

[kensgiftshop]

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@mirror-in-the-attic wrote:

I was able to confirm with UPS that neither the name or address is my own.

He told me the name of the sender of the package and then gave me a “fraud investigation team” number but when I call it, turns out it is just the main number again.   Which I am now on the 10 minute hold to talk to someone else .

This is a loophole that is dangerous because we are out of luck when the package shows delivered.  

I was able to get the rep to email me a statement basically saying the tracking numbers were not associated with my name or address.    I hope this will be enough.

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No, an email won't do.

You need to have them send you an actual letter stating the names and addresses were not yours.

[mirror-in-the-attic]

Which is so much easier said than done.  The reps on the phone (after 15 plus minutes on hold) do not want to be that in depth with these issues.   The first guy basically gave me a bogus notion that the “fraud investigation team” wants to hear from me and gave me the same generic number without any claim number or any information.

I thought I was successful in getting the 2nd guy to actually send an email.

So, snail mail letter and trust they are actually going to do it when the EBAY clock is ticking?

I don’t think that is a solution.   All I can think of doing is a chargeback.  I think Am Ex will accept an email.  I’ve been with them for over 35 years.    Maybe PP/Am Ex will be able to get the money back.

i am worried about this negatively affecting my seller account.   What is the alternative?  Give a scammer 700?

[tobaccocardyahoo]

The false address scam is increasingly common, and there are many threads on it and suggestions for handling it.

Results on the other threads show varied success.

Make sure you do nothing to violate any time limits to dispute the charge for this order with your credit card issuer, I assume you used a payment method which gives you recourse.

Also, you should be aware that when you issue a credit card dispute request, Ebay will cease to take any action on your claim.

Some of us are inclined to pull the trigger on a chargeback dispute sooner than others.

[bonjourami]

idk why you would even bother with an outsourced,telephone drone...and not go to the Fb link and at least give it a try.This has nothing to do with your seller account.

[mirror-in-the-attic]

I will try that tomorrow but I don’t know how it will proceed.   At least I can get the facts out there and get around a bot

[youn2240]

wouldn't it be way easier to request a not as described return and send them back a box of air since the camera you received was invisible? sounds a whole lot easier than calling ups and doing all this leg work. 

[mirror-in-the-attic]

I like the way you think.   Lol

[house*of*paws]

Hi @mirror-in-the-attic 

The quickest way out of this mess is to request a chargeback from your credit card company.  Phone them ... and request to be transferred to the Fraud Department.  Tell them you're the victim of the 'Fake tracking number scam' ... and you'd like to reverse the charges on the items you didn't personally receive.  They will be very familiar with the scam ... and will ask for whatever information they need from you.  [They are able to contact USPS, UPS etc. directly for the personal info on the label.]

eBay still doesn't have a direct way to deal with this now-common scam ... after years of being nagged at about it by many.  😉   I can't recommend that buyers take this grueling route any more ... but you've been given an excellent idea about what to do by others if you want to try for a refund through eBay first.

[ittybitnot]

@mirror-in-the-attic 

What you are experiencing is nothing new around here.  It has been going on on eBay for over a decade, and there is still no published policies or procedures for the typical and predictable "fake tracking scam".  

When this situation became more visible over the last few years, eBay did require a written document from the carrier attesting that the parcel was NOT intended for you.  That is likely because such document was basically impossible to obtain, and eBay had a fine excuse for throwing the victim under the bus.  eBay protects eBay regardless, and they haven't minded much if their MONEY BACK GUARANTEE is a giant fail. 

Now there are things you can do, and things you MUST not do to obtain monetary redress.  

You can file a "not as described" case for this item that shows delivered...."some air"....the seller is required to send you a return label or refund. If they don't after 4 days, return to the case and "ask eBay to step in" and you will get a refund.  This procedure just beats the eBay denial bot, and the automated system at its own game.  Many have found success with this procedure. 

You can contact eBay CS via one of their social media platforms and ask for their assistance as you are a victim of the typical "fake tracking scam".  They are very familiar with this problem, and do have the authority to help you.  If your seller is already "not a registered user" you can expect a prompt refund.  They don't always require a written document anymore either.  You may be able to upload a copy of the document you did receive by email. 

If you get thrown under the bus by the social media reps, you can file with PayPal, but it will close any case you may have going with eBay.  DO NOT SELECT ITEM NOT RECEIVED.  They have had a special "shipped to wrong address" selection.  It may be just for eBay victims, or it may have been removed (I have not heard back on that one yet).  

If that fails, then you have to seek redress through your credit card. It will close your PayPal case if done prematurely.  Again, DO NOT SELECT ITEM NOT RECIEVED, but rather Fraud/fake tracking scam.  Otherwise, the claim (or an INR PayPal claim) will be forwarded to eBay who responds with the same phony "delivery confirmation" and you will lose again. 

Good luck, and do let us know how it turns out. 

[mirror-in-the-attic]

It occurs to me that this is more a UPS matter.  If their system can be compromised such that they get actual tracking numbers in the same zip code as your package (because I doubt, very seriously, a scammer from Brazil sent 2 packages to an actual place in my zip code for 34 lbs and 2.6 lbs (or whatever they were )

SO, this leads me to believe they are in the UPS system and can locate parcels going to various zip codes and use those tracking numbers to then input into EBAY.   All EBAY verifies is the city the parcel was delivered and if it matches the buyer.

So, I beleive there is security hole and UPS hasn’t fixed it.      The first UPS customer service told me the name of the sender was S&S activewear, which is a valid company, according to Google.

[airsheep]

Actually, the scammers are able to purchase a selection of legit tracking numbers from various places on the web.  They then can select one that more or less matches your location and upload it to ebay.  Bingo - instant tracking confirmation, regardless of what was actually sent or to whom, and a fast and nasty workaround for the bots checking for delivery.