Blatant buyer scam -- any way to esclate?

[sgr17316]

I decided to sell some items on eBay and was unfortunate enough to get hit by a classic scam. The scam works like this:

1. Buyer uses a mail forwarding company
2. Once the item is delivered to the mail forwarding company, the scammer files a return stating the "item was not as described"
3. By default, the seller must accept the return even if they have a no return policy (although see below on how to possibly avoid this)
4. The scammer manipulates the return address to match the zipcode/city but NOT be the correct address and mails trash/empty package to the fake address to show it was delivered
5. eBay sees this as evidence it was returned and refunds the buyer
6. The seller is effectively stolen from... they don't get the item back and the buyer gets their money back and the item

This scam works if the seller does not actively defend themselves. In my case, I contacted eBay and told them the buyer wasn't even eligible for buyer protection and pointed out the section of the policy that strictly excludes it when a buyer uses mail redirection services. On top of that, I was able to get the buyer to admit they did not have possession of the item, that they used mail redirection, and other absurd statements. eBay sided with me and the return was immediately cancelled with prejudice. However, the scammer immediately filed a chargeback and provided a fraudulent tracking number as proof it was returned. Thankfully, I'm protected by seller protections since eBay already sided with me but I still think it's terrible the scammer might still be successful in pulling off the scam (and stealing from eBay in the process). The fact is, banks often side with the consumer unless the victim -- in this case eBay -- proactively defends themself. So my question is this, is there any way I can escalate this? I've done all the work for eBay myself. I can provide the following evidence:

• Official email from my local post master stating the tracking number was NOT addressed to my address;
• Written admission that the buyer did not have possession of the item before declaring it defective, in addition to making other blatantly deceptive statements;
• Written documentation from the freight forwarding company stating they DO NOT test items before forwarding them to respective clients (the buyer claims they tested it and determined it to be defective)
• Evidence that the buyer has at least two (2) eBay accounts with significant good feedback as a means to establish credibility to pull off these scams. I'm sure the login logs of these accounts would tell a story too... I suspect they suddenly started logging in from a different location and/or other red flags (indications of compromise or possibly sold accounts).

[luckythewinner]

This scam works if the seller does not actively defend themselves

One might wonder why scammers put in such effort when simply mailing an empty package to you reportedly accomplishes the same thing. 

[broto_64]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

This scam works if the seller does not actively defend themselves

One might wonder why scammers put in such effort when simply mailing an empty package to you reportedly accomplishes the same thing. 

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Hahaha that is true, I can open a return and just mail back an empty envelope with the return label, once the scan shows delivery to the original address I can get my money back.

To the OP: "Defending" yourself on ebay isn't as clear cut as many might think, it's not an actual fight for one thing... It is far more a passive thing, first step would likely be start accepting returns - this alone turns scammers off because they don't have the same backing from the MBG but in truth most of these scammers literally look for "No Return" items.

[ittybitnot]

@sgr17316 

Basically, you can avoid a lot of this if, as a seller, you are aware that your customer is using a Freight Forwarder from the start.  Those buyers that do, forfeit their opportunity to file a MBG Snad claim.  Unfortunately, the eBay return process is automated, and these are treated like any domestic sale  UNLESS the seller is informed and proactive.  

Contacting eBay through one of their social media portals PRIOR to sending the 'return label' is best, and can have the case dismissed BEFORE the seller becomes a victim of the subsequent 'fake tracking return scam'.  

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/ (use the blue message button)

OR one of these:

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

https://x.com/askebay

Unlike the regular outsourced foreign call center reps you get in a call back or chat, the above portals lead to actual US based agents that are quite familiar with this problem an have the authority to act more quickly.   Even if the seller  has already sent the return label, it is not too late to ask for assistance.  They no longer require proof that the product was actually forwarded out of the US, but having that information can be a plus. 

For those reading, many of these forwarders are in Delaware, Oregon, S. Florida, NY, but not always limited to these locations.  Though most sales will likely be problem free, when they are not it is up to the seller to act, as eBay will not tell you that a forwarder is being used. 

It is important to note as well that recently, USPS at least is not marking these parcels as "delivered" to these forwarding business. At the same time, USPS will not entertain package 'searches' or allow insurance claims by sellers for lost packages/non-delivered merchandise since a "third party shipper" (forwarder) was involved.   Parcels not marked "delivered" are a win/win for users of forwarders if they simply file INR at that point. 

eBay expects sellers to ship anyway, so it is best to be diligent about where your parcel is headed.   

[kensgiftshop]

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@sgr17316 wrote:

On top of that, I was able to get the buyer to admit they did not have possession of the item, that they used mail redirection, and other absurd statements.

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That probably helped.

If it hadn't been for that, buyer would have probably won.

[aeparts1]

Selling expensive electronics is a sure way to attract scammers.

You say you contacted eBay, how did you get  contact of them? Overseas help seems to be useless, facebook is supposed to be better. Let us know what you did that worked!

I'm glad eBay accepted your evidence & cancelled the return.

Since eBay already took care of you, I doubt there is anything you can or need to do to escalate it. Hopefully eBay has some system in place to try & weed out this type of scammer. I am sure eBay will never tell us if that is the case, they'll want to keep that info private.

[conelmd63]

This deception works if the seller himself is a deceiver....... Not a single respected buyer will do this to you if you, as a seller, are decent and perform your services correctly and this is how the boomerang law works......

[grand-and-glorious-purpose]

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@sgr17316 wrote:

So my question is this, is there any way I can escalate this?

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Best policy is to let a 33 billion dollar company take care of itself.

[kensgiftshop]

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@conelmd63 wrote:

This deception works if the seller himself is a deceiver....... Not a single respected buyer will do this to you if you, as a seller, are decent and perform your services correctly and this is how the boomerang law works......

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There are a lot of International buyers that do this.

[jg.mason]

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@conelmd63 wrote:

This deception works if the seller himself is a deceiver....... Not a single respected buyer will do this to you if you, as a seller, are decent and perform your services correctly and this is how the boomerang law works......

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So this scam never happens to honest sellers?

I guess it depends on who the "respected buyer" is respected by, if it's their scamming buddies I'd say they'll do it every chance they get. If by "respected buyer" you mean an honest buyer I'd doubt they would scam even a bad seller.