Beware of Buyer Fraud - eBay No Help

[frassanm]

You need to beware that there are fraudulent buyers out there which are trying to scam iPhone sellers.  Below are the details of how they are scamming people and eBay is not helpful to sellers.  

1. The fraudster opened their eBay account on December 26, 2023, only 5 days before the fraudster purchased my iPhone 14 Pro Max.   The iPhone was purchased on 1/1/2023.
2. The fraudster paid for the iPhone and I shipped the iPhone promptly on 1/2/2023.  The item was delivered on 1/4/2023.
3. On 1/7/2023, the fraudster requested a refund because the fraudster claimed it was not working.  This was a lie.  Here is the fraudster’s reason for return.  "Hello, the phone I bought from you is working very badly, the sound in the microphone is bad, it turns off by itself while talking, then the phone starts flashing and restarts by itself, because the phone is defective, I want to return it.”
4. Because of eBay's buyer guarantee, the only option was for me was to offer a refund to the fraudster.  I accepted the refund and purchased a label directly from eBay which pre-populated my address.  The label was sent to the fraudster directly with tracking.
5. I have been an eBay member and have been selling my old iPhones via eBay for many years now and this was the first time I have had a return. I noticed the date when the fraudster opened their eBay account.  I was already suspicious about the refund and sent the buyer the following messages.  “Hello, I never had problems with the phone and I was the original owner. Please ensure that you send everything back including the same cable, stickers and protective sticker over the face of the phone. Once I inspect the phone, I will reach out. Thanks!”  “I also notice that you opened your eBay account in December 2023, just 5 days before you purchased the iPhone. I will be taking the returned iPhone to the Apple Store to verify that there was nothing changed to the iPhone internals. I have copies of the IMEI numbers and all internal specifications. I took pictures of everything before it was sent out. Once I receive the iPhone with all the accessories that I included and the Apple Store verifies that everything is in good order, then I will issue the refund. There are a lot of scammers out there and I will not issue any refund to scammers, even if my eBay account gets closed. Thank you.”
6. On 1/13/2024, the fraudster shipped back hair ribbons in an envelope, but altered the address on the label so it would be delivered to my neighbor instead of me.  The address that was on the label that eBay sent was my correct address.  The fraudster did this intentionally so it would show “Delivered” via the USPS system.  
7. On 1/16/2024, the item showed delivered on USPS, but it was delivered to my neighbor because the fraudster altered the eBay shipping label.
8. On 1/18/2024, I went to the local post office to speak with a supervisor and opened a case with USPS on the matter because the item showed “Delivered”, but my Ring camera clearly showed that it was not delivered.
9. On 1/19/2024  at 5:59am, the fraudster asked eBay to step in to secure their refund.
10. On 1/19/2024 at  6:27am, less than 30 minutes later, eBay without checking my side of the story, issued a refund to the fraudster.
11. On 1/19/2024 at 7:30am, I filed an appeal to the decision.
12. On 1/19/2024 at 9:30am, the postal carried found that the package was delivered to my neighbor instead of me because the fraudster altered the shipping label.
13. I immediately reported the buyer as a fraudster.  I made several attempts to try to speak with someone via phone using the eBay number, but there was no option that would get to me to a live agent.   I left another email message via member@ebay.com to try to get someone to call me back.  

This case was a fraud case the entire time and it was allowed using eBay’s policies.  I kindly ask that you further investigate the matter which is clearly fraud.  I will not be liable for any refund that as issued by eBay on my behalf because this was stealing by the fraudster abusing eBay’s policies.  There are seller protections as well.  

[klhmdg]

Duplicate post

[jscar59]

You have the IME number, contact apple and rain on the buyers parade.

[annadryl]

Asked and answered> https://community.ebay.com/t5/Electronics/Beware-of-iPhone-Buyer-Scams-eBay-does-not-help/td-p/34240...

[stainlessenginecovers]

@frassanm wrote:

There's a lot that eBay could have done to make it safe for sellers @tobaccocardyahoo 

1.  They could have actual phone agents to allow sellers to reach them by phone.  I tried calling the phone tree several times to warn them that the fraudsters altered the mailing label, but the system kept directing me to the eBay FAQ online.

2.  They could have required a signature on the return package.  eBay forced to add Signature Required when I shipped it out, but did not require the fraudsters to add it on the return.

3.  They could require a longer-time return period for newly-established accounts.   

I followed all of eBay's policies, but still experienced fraud.  There is more that can be done on eBay's part.

---

Thought I would post your post and my response here as well since I guess you decided to 'abandon' that thread to start this one

1.) How would the site having a 'phone' stop a thief? 

2.) How would a return change anything? Thief STILL could've shipped you rocks, and then you would've had a signature for a box of rocks.

3.) So the buyer could just rip you off 2 weeks later? Would HAVE to be within the 30 day return window no matter what.

Therefore, all 3 of your ideas would accomplish nothing. 

[mustardjo]

This is so wrong. Where are the sellers protections?  Ebay is so quick to side with buyers no matter what. They don't even consider the facts.

[vintagecraze50]

iPhone probably number 1 scam item on the internet. Altering labels and shipping to different address with same zip code biggy  scam on here.

[chasearooauctions]

Check the ship to address. If the buyer used a freight forward company then there is no eBay money-back guarantee. Freight forward addresses are mostly in Delaware and Florida. Google the ship to address and call eBay back if it is a freight forward address. 

[inhawaii]

There are fraudulent buyers out there?

Thanks for the heads up.

[frassanm]

Hi @jscar59  I have the IMEI number.  What would you recommend?

[jscar59]

Contact apple and inform them it was stolen ( theft by deception)