eBay

str8sho-3 · ‎03-27-2025

Buyers beware, Scammers on e-bay are using "skimmed" tracking numbers. They send you a tracking number that is NOT for the item that you purchased. When you don't receive the item and file a complaint with e-bay, because the tracking number shows "delivered" e-bay automatically denies your claim and will not issue refund, This seller in particular (danieder-6) skimmed me for 170.00 for a rifle scope that never arrived. and because tracking number shows delivered, i am out for that money. my local post office confirmed that the tracking number was bogus, and was not even linked to my name or address, and not for the item listed! What's even worse is that e-bay messaged me about the item, because of lookin at similar items, and my purchase was based in part on there recommendation and sellers feedback rating (99.8%) My bad luck i guess picking a seller that is a thief, But all buyers should beware of this new scam, and this particular seller. Good Luck

simba6 · ‎03-27-2025

Yes that is the fake tracking number scam. It's the fastest growing scam out there. You have to file an item not as described case when that happens.

kensgiftshop · ‎03-27-2025

Since the seller is dropshipping from other retail sites, it's possible the other site messed up.

It's best to stay away from those international sellers dropshipping from the US.

Have the carrier send you a letter stating the package was not addressed to you, then use the letter to appeal the INR case.

Have a great day.

12345jamesstamps · ‎03-27-2025

Always research the seller...

Seller is listed as eBay ID country in Israel but drop-shipping from California...maybe Amazon.

So seller doesn't probably have the items but is selling them.

It was probably a mistake by the store and not really the seller...but with drop-shipping mistakes do happen.

A buyer can do a dispute with the debit or credit card used with their banking online...for the item purchased.

Need more information just ask us.

stainlessenginecovers · ‎03-27-2025

ps- this is NOT new; been going on for years!

mudshark61369 · ‎03-28-2025

@str8sho-3,

Yes ebay does deny Item Not Received disputes when there is tracking that has a delivered scan. However, when you receive that message there is an appeal button in it. You can successfully win an appeal but you have to do some leg work first. Open the link below, Click on the Go to Best Answer button

and read how to get the info you need to win the dispute. You have 30 days from the date the dispute was closed, to file an appeal. Skip the part about sending USPS GPS coordinates, it will not apply in this case.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Need-advice-item-not-received/m-p/34621715#M496499

Because the fake tracking scam has gotten wide spread, you should sign up to get the Free enhanced tracking information provided by USPS, FedEx, UPS.

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

They all provide information that can cause you to win a dispute if you skip the normal Money Back Guarantee - Item Not Received system. Use the social media contact info that is the next reply from the Best Answer above.

FYI, Check each seller's feedback profile before buying from one. Avoid buying from China & Israel based sellers, they are the 2 countries responsible for most of the Fake Tracking scams.

"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FOOLPROOF, BECAUSE FOOLS ARE SO DARNED INGENIOUS!" (unknown)

buyitright11 · ‎04-01-2025

Same deal for me but I had notified them of the scam and according to the USPS tracking number the delivery was dropped off in the mailbox but the item is a 140lb Peloton Stationary Bike cost $742. What really **bleep** me off was the condescending attitude at PayPal & eBay. They could not stop themselves defending the sellers rights, who of course was a one and done seller, long gone with my $700. I sent a ebay feedback note last night and told them that I had a personal goal of causing them to loose $742,000 in business directly due to my efforts to get the scam story out.

eburtonlab · ‎04-01-2025

@buyitright11

If tracking shows delivery but nothing arrives:

If the buyer can obtain some hard copy documentation (email is not good enough) that says that the package was not delivered to the buyer's address or something that shows the weight or size of the package cannot possibly correspond to the ordered item, or the shipping date precedes the order, then the buyer may be able to contact eBay via social media direct message, provide that documentation to eBay and get help with "false tracking".

https://x.com/askebay

https://www.facebook.com/ebay

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

With "false tracking" if you go through a standard automated "item not received" case, on the other hand, you will lose the case because the seller can provide tracking that appears to show delivery. If you then appeal, you may have some additional options at that point. It appears that eBay has added a new appeal option regarding "delivery to another address", but I do not know how effective that is compared to contacting eBay via social media with documentation and explicitly mentioning "false tracking", which seems to work provided you can obtain the necessary documentation.

If you are unable to get help through eBay, you may have recourse through your payment method, though you should probably exhaust all your eBay options first since once you go through your payment method, eBay will no longer help with that transaction.

In general, you can avoid a lot of headaches by choosing to purchase only from established sellers that have recent and past positive feedback as a seller for selling items in the same category that you intend to buy. If someone is selling a dozen apple watches, but has no feedback, or only has feedback as a buyer, or only has feedback for selling dress patterns or fishing lures (actual examples I have seen), perhaps wait until they have a track record of positive feedback for selling electronics before you buy from them.

ittybitnot · ‎04-02-2025

@buyitright11 @str8sho-3

Please read some of this for options on what can be done, and of course WHAT NOT TO DO is equally important. Quit filing "item not received", though we realize that on eBay it is the only choice that somewhat resembles your problem. Using INR does not help, start thinking FRAUD/FAKE TRACKING SCAM/SHIPPED TO WRONG ADDRESS.

Use one of the links provided to you by @eburtonlab in post #8.

Jan. 2025

Feb. 2025

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/DHL-Messing-up-shipping-or-a-scam/m-p/34918930#M513039
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Item-shipped-to-wrong-address/m-p/34918657#M513034
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Fake-Tracking-Scam-how-do-I-prepare/m-p/34920656#M513092
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/Seller-scamming-me/m-p/34954964#M514849
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Buying/I-just-got-scammed-and-I-don-t-know-how-to-proceed/m-p/34955823...

March 2025

dcrtechandelec · ‎04-02-2025

So I think that overall people have already given you (mostly) great information. Yes this type of postal fraud has been going on for quite a few years now. Some people are trying to justify how this was not the drop shippers fault. I seriously question their integrity and intellect, as what you describe is the description of someone who is a victim of fraud. Yes, a victim. If my name is tied to a criminal event that I have no participation in, or knowledge of, I am a victim of a criminal act.

Buyers: if your tracking number is altered in any way, shape, or form at any point and you did not request it, nor was it preemptively explained, you need to start asking questions. If something does not feel right, that is your gut which is directly connected with the brain through the nervous system. Listen to it. Always seek an explanation first, but at the same, time no response is a response. In situations as described above, document it through submitting a report. This way eBay has concrete, time-stamped indications that should be quite easy to analyze and determine for themselves.