Tracking Scam - Worthless eBay Guarantee

[kaidran]

Looking through the posts it seems I am far from the first person to post on this. I’d appreciate any advice. 

I ordered an item and paid for it immediately. The seller created a fake shipping ID on FedEx. This was not recognized by the FedEx system so I think was just random numbers. The seller then promptly deleted their account. When the item did not arrive I was able to contact eBay and let them know my concerns. I had then to wait another 4 days before I could follow up. On the third day a new fake FedEx number was posted. This one was active in FedEx and was stating that an item was delivered to my town three days earlier. The sale then listed it being shipped on the 16th and being delivered on the 13th. It did not state a delivery address but had a photograph that was clearly not my house. I do not know who updated that delivery information as I do not see how the seller could have actually done it.  I immediately contacted eBay to let them know and was basically told that the item had been delivered so the guarantee was not valid. I appealed this and was sent a message, acknowledging that the sale was fraudulent and the tracking numbers were fake. Also that the seller was under investigation, but was told that I was not eligible for the guarantee because I did not have proof that the package FedEx delivered was addressed to a different house. I called FedEx and after a miserable time getting through to a human I got them to confirm it was not addressed to me but they would not give any other information on the delivery or provide an email stating this. I did get them to tell me the package originated from Sam’s Club but I don’t think that eBay was questioning it being fake, they just did not care to do anything about it. 

Does anyone have any ideas how to deal with this? Obviously FedEx does not want to hand over information on deliveries not connected to a sender or recipient and eBay seems content on pushing away the burden of proof.  I am also now out of automated options. Is the eBay guarantee worthless? Feel quite naive at this point trusting in eBay.  

[simba6]

You first have to get a letter from Fedex that the tracking number did not go to your address. An email will do. Keep calling if needed as each call gets a different rep until you find one that will help.

If you paid by credit card, once you get that letter call your card company and let them know it's the fake tracking number scam.  If you did not pay be card, contact the payment service you used.

It's a fast growing scam and no one is doing anything about it.  It started back over fifteen years ago but few crooks knew of it. 

[mudshark61369]

@kaidran,

The fake tracking scam is hard for ebay to deal with. Their automated Item Not Received system can only search a tracking number for a Delivered scan, because of shipping agencies privacy policies,  so it denies the claim if there is one.  Appeals fail as well for basically the same reason unless you come up with more information, and an eMail from a shipper will not work, because they can be faked.  The link below will take you to an earlier topic in which I explain what steps you need to take in order to get the info you need to win an appeal, or if you have had an appeal denied how to contact ebay through their social media sites, to get resolution.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/What-do-you-do-when-ebay-support-will-not-help-you/m-p/340800...

[kaidran]

Thank you both for the fast replies. I’m going to head over the a FedEx store and see if I can get the confirmation note. 

[kaidran]

I went to a FedEx store and got nowhere. They do not provide the information that eBay asks for. They sent me back to their customer service, who again would only confirm verbally that the package was not for my address. They did tell me where it actually was delivered, which I don’t think that they should have done. I now know where it came from and where it went to. It seems if I want more from FedEx I will have to trick a new associate into breaking their company policy. eBay did not list that I would have to be deceptive or bullying to be able to claim on the guarantee. I am so beyond disappointed. 

I can potentially try and get the Sam’s Club shopper to help me but I do not really want to start approaching strangers, who really have nothing to do with this whole mess.