Incorrect Address Scam

[armanibarron]

I bought a PS4 for a good deal (not low enough to be suspicious but a good deal nonetheless). 

Initially, it said the seller was based in Slough, United Kingdom.

Still not a red flag.

But then the item said it shipped from Wyoming , MI on April 27.

So that right there is sort of shady, but there was a tracking number so I didn't panic.

So today I received a package from UPS and was expecting to receive my PS4. 

It never showed up. I checked Ebay and it says "delivered". I check around my apartment building. It's nowhere to be found and I received another package from UPS earlier so I called UPS to see what the deal is.

For the sake of the story, my address is 123 Apple St.

Apparently the seller sent it to the wrong address on Apple Street (UPS can't tell me the address that the seller wrote down apparently).

Although the tracking number says it was delivered to 123 Apple St. 

I contacted the seller and they refused to tell me the address they wrote on the package, what kind of box the package was in, and just kept assuring me that they would contact UPS tomorrow. Something about this seems weird.

On top of this the seller has relisted a PS4 at the same price with the same accessories! 

Is this a common scam? Are sellers able to deliver empty or packages to incorrect addresses but use the same tracking number that is provided by Ebay? 

Has anyone ever heard of this?

[ed8108]

Perhaps it was misdelivered ?, perhaps the address was incorrect on the package?

In an abundance of caution

You can ask UPS to provide you a written statement that confirms the package with the tracking number provided by your seller was not in fact delivered to your actual address.

They do not need to disclose the address to which it was delivered.

[parkersparrow]

Sounds like this seller is a dropshipper. So the fact that it shipped from a different location & they have more than one of the same item doesn't mean anything suspicious. I don't know why they won't tell you the address unless they made a mistake and they don't want to admit it. 

[rebell45]

You said : "So today I received a package from UPS and was expecting to receive my PS4."
What was in the package? Did it have the tracking number from the PS4 shipping info?

[armanibarron]

No my other package was a completely different item. I just added that information to show that UPS did in fact come to my house and did not have the PS4 package with them.

[armanibarron]

Is it weird that they don't have any reviews though? 

I'm contacting UPS again so I can at least get documentation confirming that the shipping information on the package does not match my actual address.

The thing I don't get is why would the tracking match my address, but the actual address on the package be different?

[mudshark61369]

@armanibarron,

 "...initially it said the seller was based in Slough, United Kingdom... But then the item said it shipped from Wyoming , MI on April 27 ... So that right there is sort of shady, but there was a tracking number so I didn't panic".

Sort of Shady?  That would be a Red Flag to most people.  Since the item has been re-listed where does it say it is located now? 

  "... Is this a common scam? Are sellers able to deliver empty or packages to incorrect addresses but use the same tracking number that is provided by Ebay?"

Yes it is a common scam.  The seller probably sent a UPS envelope to an address in your zip code, so the package would show delivery.  About all you can try to do is go to a UPS store with all of the info you have received  the ebay sale and  the tracking number added to the item in your purchase history the order details and try and get them to give you the actual shipping address, the package was delivered to.  If they will not give the actual address get them to say it was not addressed to you, written on USPS stationary.  Tell them the seller used UPS to commit fraud and you need the info to get eBay to refund your money.

  "I bought a PS4 for a good deal (not low enough to be suspicious but a good deal nonetheless)...  Is it weird that they don't have any reviews though? ... The thing I don't get is why would the tracking match my address, but the actual address on the package be different?"

A seller scammer can add any tracking number they want to an eBay item. Even one that shows an item was delivered before you even bought an item.  Buying a PS-4 from a (0) seller who lists an item for a good price is often a sign of a scam.  Beyond that, a PS-4 coming from England would not have the correct power adapter for use in the U.S..  

Get all of the info you can and in the mean time file an item not received dispute with ebay.  Because that system is automated and will only look at the tracking showing delivery, eBay will close the dispute in the seller's favor.  Then you can appeal the dispute with all of the information you can get. (Link Below)

When you appeal the dispute will be reviewed and you can add relavant information:

• Seller's location and where the USPS shipping label was generated.
• The note from a UPS employee stating the shipping info was not correct.
• The UPS shipping info showing delivery of the other package the same day the one for the PS-4 was also supposed to be delivered. 
• The fact the seller has relisted the same PS-4.  If the item location has changed mention that as well.
•  

https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/returns-refunds/appeal-ebays-decision-return-missing-item-buyers?id...

[jackiednns214_2]

I had the same thing happen to me I purchased an item and the seller canceled the order 2 days before delivery then I got a your item is delivered email I check and no item was delivered.  So I opened up a lost claim with UPS  and then UPS told me the item was sent to a different address but with my name on it.  I tried opening a claim with ebay and they sided with the seller.  So I then opened a dispute with paypal and uploaded all the  UPS documentation that shows my address and the address the seller sent it to.  I think this is a scam and ebay should be held accountable for allowing scams.  Good luck with your case maybe try to open a case with your shipper.  

[james-pctech]

I had an issue I just resolved with ebay over this the seller indeed shipped an item to a different address not my own so I called the post office once the package showed delivered. The seller said I should receive the item within 2 days so I called the post office and had them open an investigation and they said the tracking number I had matches the item they had in possession but the name and address didn't add up so I made sure to document and record everything took pictures of the fraudulent package a 1 pound envelope and the seller then said I would receive the item on a Monday now this was on Friday. So Monday comes around and the package was never delivered I immediately opened a item not received case with ebay to start an investigation because I knew the seller wouldn't respond the item shipped from a completely different state than where he was located at.  I should've watched closely this seller was selling a retail priced video card $2500 for $999 used and he said he had like 10 of them in a mining rig. But only sold 3 so I feel sorry for anyone else who was caught up in this scam and I hope they can also get their money back.