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?

[simba6]

Search this board for the fake tracking number scam before you do anything else.  It's a common scam and well explained.

[ittybitnot]

It occurs to me that this is more a UPS matter.

@mirror-in-the-attic 

Actually, UPS did their job:  delivered to the address on the label.  This scam involves USPS, FedEx, etc. just as often.  As @airsheep said, legit numbers can be purchased on the web.  Last advert I saw was for $25 for 100, that you could pick from as needed.  

[mudshark61369]

@ittybitnot,  @airsheep ,

"As @airsheep said, legit numbers can be purchased on the web.  Last advert I saw was for $25 for 100, that you could pick from as needed". 

  In order for the fake tracking scam to work,  the zip code has to match the one in a buyer's town. If the zip  code on a shipping label does not match the one on a buyer's saved ebay address, it can be picked up when an INR decision is appealed. 

It seems to me that the people offering tracking numbers for sale are scamming their buyers. There are 41, 704 zip codes in the U.S. and a few hundred more for U.S. territories. So a person buying 100 tracking numbers, has long odds against them getting one that matches up with a random buyer's zip code. 

Why BUY a batch of tracking numbers when the PDF shipping label sent by ebay can be modified to be sent to a business in a Buyer's zip code, with a quick online search and an envelope sent to it.

If one of you would send me a link to one of those sites, in a P.M. you may have to break it up so it doesn't look like a link. I'd like to look at it.

Still when an INR dispute is turned down on the first try, the leaving of negative feedback is negated, even if it gets overturned on an appeal.  That is a hole in the system that ebay needs to fix.

One way to beat the fake tracking scam is to sign up for the free enhanced tracking information offered by the 3 main carriers in the U.S.

USPS - Informed Delivery,   FedEx - Delivery Manager,  UPS - My Choice.

All three have info in them that can be used to win an appeal.

  However, the USPS Informed Delivery email may often show a photo of a package label, that is to be delivered on a given day. That info is transmitted from the regional facility nearest to one's P.O. zip code, usually before the Local P.O. opens.  However, if the truck from the regional facility does not arrive at the local P.O. before a carrier starts their route, the package may not actually be delivered until the next day.