Someone else opened a missing item request

[biohazard888]

I purchased an item just yesterday and received a message from eBay today saying I reported that I didn’t receive it. More disturbing is that I receive a transcript of a customer service chat where someone impersonating me claims that the item was not delivered and wants to request a refund. The impersonator even provides my username, real name, address, and phone in the chat.

I closed the case since I didn’t open it.

Has this happened to anyone else before?  Was the seller pretending to be me in order to back out of the deal ?  Some other scam going on?

[ittybitnot · Accepted solution]

Has this happened to anyone else before?

@biohazard888 

Yes, it has been reported here by a couple of other buyers.  How the other party is able to get through to open a case in your name is not known, but has happened.  The idea being, that since the case was opened and closed, you won't be able to open one when the parcel does not arrive.   Seems sort of silly, since you could always do a c.card chargeback. 

Typically the ruse is used in conjunction with the fake tracking scam to give the "seller" more time when you discover you can't open a case and a phony tracking number is employed. 

If you happen to have a UPS or FedEx tracking number in your purchase history for this, you can track it here: 

https://www.ship24.com/

It will tell you exactly when the tracking number was initiated, the size/weight of the parcel, and to what street address it is to be delivered or was delivered.  If you paid with PayPal, you may be able to open a case there once the delivery date has passed.  Be sure to make them understand about the 'fake tracking scam' and not just a regular "item not received" issue. 

In the meantime, you may wish to report the present circumstances to eBay.  DO NOT use the regular customer service, for they are basically useless.  Use the SEND MESSAGE button on the top of this page: 


https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

Give them your name, contact information, user ID, transaction information, and a description of what has happened so far regarding the opening of the case in which you had no participation.  You can upload photos, etc. to the message. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, report this to eBay's Security Center right away. They are usually pretty responsive there. Below is the link to the Security Center home page. Good luck.

https://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/index.html

[biohazard888]

@ittybitnot thanks for the reply. I suspect you are right. However the seller has not provided a tracking number so not sure if it’s part of that fake number scheme. 

I spoke with an eBay representative. She told me to close the case, but indicated they would investigate the reporting since it wasn’t me who initiated it. I’m guessing I’ll eventually have to request a refund through PayPal if the item never arrives. 

[biohazard888]

That link is helpful, thank you. I spoke with a representative who said to close the case, but indicated they would investigate.

[biohazard888]

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@ittybitnot wrote:

Has this happened to anyone else before?

@biohazard888 

Yes, it has been reported here by a couple of other buyers.  How the other party is able to get through to open a case in your name is not known, but has happened.  The idea being, that since the case was opened and closed, you won't be able to open one when the parcel does not arrive.   Seems sort of silly, since you could always do a c.card chargeback. 

Typically the ruse is used in conjunction with the fake tracking scam to give the "seller" more time when you discover you can't open a case and a phony tracking number is employed. 

If you happen to have a UPS or FedEx tracking number in your purchase history for this, you can track it here: 

https://www.ship24.com/

It will tell you exactly when the tracking number was initiated, the size/weight of the parcel, and to what street address it is to be delivered or was delivered.  If you paid with PayPal, you may be able to open a case there once the delivery date has passed.  Be sure to make them understand about the 'fake tracking scam' and not just a regular "item not received" issue. 

In the meantime, you may wish to report the present circumstances to eBay.  DO NOT use the regular customer service, for they are basically useless.  Use the SEND MESSAGE button on the top of this page: 


https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

Give them your name, contact information, user ID, transaction information, and a description of what has happened so far regarding the opening of the case in which you had no participation.  You can upload photos, etc. to the message. 

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As a follow up, I was fortunately refunded by eBay in this matter. However I’m still concerned about the identity thief pretending to be me to eBay’s customer service. 

I also noticed that a new zero-rating seller has popped up and sold the exact same item (a graded collectible with a unique certification number).  I imagine the new buyer will be facing a similar problem as I did, but it doesn’t seem like anything can be done to prevent these scams from happening. 

[downunder-61]

CS should not be alowed to assist in opening a case, all they should have the power to do is to steer the member in the right direction ie: to the MBG information.

Glad you won out in this one, some people will try anything on.

Are you able to leave FB for the seller or not? If not check if they left FB for you and reply to it - seller needs to learn a lesson

[ittybitnot]

Thanks for the update @biohazard888 

[biohazard888]

@downunder-61 

I suspect the seller has simply opened a new account and is trying the scam again, so feedback on the old account won’t help much unfortunately.