Black Mask in the mail

[alphaautomotive]

The past few weeks I have been receiving small envelopes with a single black paper mask inside. Buyers are sending these as "returns" to orders, obviously not at all the correct item. I had a buyer purchase a valve cover, opens a return on the item and sent a paper mask back with the return label.

Anyone else experiencing this?

[ebooksdiva]

That’s odd that you’re receiving black masks over the past few weeks. Sounds to me like the same person, I can’t imagine more than one buyer doing that unless they are related in some way. 
In answer to your question, no,  I’m not experiencing that. 

[alphaautomotive]

Even more odd, all cases are the same valve cover. As well as each buyer only has 1 feedback, and it's from our auto generated feedback. 

[stainlessenginecovers]

So it's YOUR Valve Cover that the 'buyer' was returning the item (do you have open 'returns'?)

If so, this (although NOT typical to Steel a Valve Cover) is just another way to 'scam' the system and you. They open a return, shipping shows it was delivered and you have to refund them (again, only if you have a return case opened by said buyer)

[simba6]

There has been quite an uptick in return fraud where buyers return junk in place of the item.  This however is the first time black masks were reported.  The Lone Ranger scam?

Just an online form a five finger discount all retail sellers have to endure.  Add a small amount to all your prices to cover it.

[alphaautomotive]

The first 2 were from the West coast, this most recent one is from New Jersey. If it is the same person they are good at covering their tracks. 

And yes, I have seen a definite increase in fraudulent returns. Unfortunately eBay can't seam to quite  understand how some buyers know how to play the system to get free parts.

[simba6]

You would not think three different buyers would all have the same black masks for scam returns.  And, that is a strange item to return anyway.   You should report such buyers.  eBay does keep track and will remove buyers from the money back program that abuse it like that.  However, not before that have scammed many sellers.

[12345jamesstamps]

One unsatisfied buyer does have friends around the country. Someone is not happy about something and has gone out of their way to do this. An unsatisfactory buyer can mail item to friend to mail to you. Just a thought.

[rileydone]

If you Google "scam black mask return", there are several instances of this happening over the last couple of years. Interesting!

[janet9988]

You never know what germs or chemicals are on those black masks.

 I would be reporting those.

https://about.usps.com/publications/pub300a/pub300a_v04_revision_072019_tech_024.htm

[alphaautomotive]

https://www.reddit.com/r/eBaySellers/comments/17yw1t7/new_scam_anyone_else_getting_black_facemasks/

[bnrparts]

Just received my third return with the same black mask. I checked all the tracking numbers, all came from Queens NY, although the original order was from a different state. Two of the users are no longer registered users. All three are the same part number as well.  

[merkurdepot]

I have a nearly identical scenario as bnrparts just described. 

Back in the day you had to be a 'registered user' on ebay to buy / sell. Now you only have to be registered to sell. Its wide open for random buyers now and the fraud has increased exponentially. 

[powernail]

We have experienced three instances of this scam in the last couple months. All on the same product as well. It’s definitely real and definitely a problem I hope Ebay will eventually catch on to.

I've noticed the following in every instance:

• The buyer account was fresh (opened in the last month) with no feedback (with the exception of our feedback auto generated after purchase)
• The account name differs from the shipping address. 
• Once the buyer received their order, they immediately open a return case or payment dispute with a random reason. (No prior communication)
• Regardless of the order's destination, every return tracked through USPS has originated in NY (Queens, Hollis).
• Every return has been received in a small plastic bag mailer containing a “generic black face mask”
• Once the return has been received, the case advances and Ebay will automatically refund the buyer
• The buyer then immediately deactivates their account

From here, we are forced to appeal. After a lot of back and forth, explaining our case, providing images, etc, it’s unfortunately hit or miss to win.

[luckeyluckeycat]

We sold an rv gas detector. They opened a return & sent a black facemask. Shipped item to Texas, mask came queens.