Fake Return Tracking Number Scam

[siliconalleyelectronics]

Hello everybody, I'm looking to see if anyone has found a good solution for this issue.  For those that aren't aware, there is a common scam where a buyer will initiate a return immediately after receiving the product, typically an expensive product.  The scammer will then order a product online to be shipped to a residence or business that is in the same zip code as you.  After a few weeks, the scammer will initiate a refund claim, using the tracking number from the separate online purchase.  Ebay will accept the claim in 0-0.5 seconds depending on the day, and your money will be taken away from you.  This is because the only thing that Ebay sees or cares about is the zip code of the delivery confirmation.  In my experience, the next step involves half a dozen emails with Ebay as you pull teeth in order to get the tracking number that the scammer used because it was never made available to you.  Then taking that number to USPS, because that's what the scammers always use, and having them print a document that shows the exact address the package was delivered to.  Then slog through another several dozen emails which they clearly aren't even reading as they always respond with "but the tracking shows delivered" until someone finally sees that it wasn't legitimate and I get my money back.

Why Ebay even accepts any tracking number that is different from the one that is originally provided through the return process is absolutely beyond me, especially as they're the ones that are taking the loss here. 

I would really appreciate to hear anyone's tips or tricks involved in both avoiding this issue, as well as in resolving the issue.  I am dealing with one now, and the Ebay rep asked me to provide the "full name of the delivery man"....seriously? Are they going to phone up Joe the delivery guy?

[katzrul15]

I would reach out to e-Bay CS on Facebook for Business.  Usually better results.

Report your Buyer for fraud from the transaction view.

Then reach out and message them (private message) with your selling ID, trans #, brief summary of what occured, your email/phone number.

Good luck!

https://m.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness

[ittybitnot]

 as they always respond with "but the tracking shows delivered" 

@siliconalleyelectronics 

The system is automated, and regular customer service is only allowed to use the "tracking shows delivered" line and under most circumstances can do nothing else.  This is sometimes called the "cheap trinket" scam, but is a variation of the "fake tracking scam".  These ploys are used to defraud both buyers and sellers.   Parcels are sent to an alternate address in your zipcode,  cheap items are purchased online and sent directly to your address, or phony tracking numbers are purchased on the net and used to get that "delivered" notice. 

It is unfortunate that your buyer used USPS, for it is now possible to see the details of most  other carriers online.  For UPS, FedEx, etc. you can see the origin, size/weight, and the exact street address of the delivery (which is not yours).  For future reference:  https://www.ship24.com/    For USPS, you will have to get documentation that the tracking number was not delivered to your address.  It will not be necessary to show exactly where the parcel was delivered, only that it was NOT to you. 

Then use the Send Message box on the page provided by @katzrul15 in message #2.  They are familiar with this issue and actually have the authority to help.  

And no, the regular tier eBay rep likely is NOT going to call your mail carrier...that is a real first as far as nonsense replies go.  

Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you. 

[glasser]

+1 on ship24 It was the only site that actually gave me granular information on some EISD ( I no longer use) items when they were taking forever.

I agree with OP. If buyer does not use a label provided by the seller via eBay or provided directly by eBay, I think the return should be voided and no money returned. That would stop these scams in their tracks.

[ittybitnot]

If buyer does not use a label provided by the seller via eBay or provided directly by eBay,

@glasser 

Yes, that would be a plan.  eBay does not require this, and I don't know their rationale.  There have been cases where they DO use the label provided, and simply change the address as well.   Last week, on another ecommerce discussion site, someone posted the link to a website of where one can purchase "fake" tracking numbers.  Paypal was an option for payment, imagine that. 

[ittybitnot]

@siliconalleyelectronics 

Just wondering...to what city/state did you ship this product?   Is your "buyer" still a registered user? 

[glasser]

@ittybitnot could even go as far as offering sellers the option of providing a return label in the initial shipment. That's how a lot of retailers do it. Could still have a process for authorizing a return (lots of retailers do that as well) before the label is usable. This kind of low friction return might even be more appealing to buyers then some MBG. 

The return process is to complicated for buyers and sellers and too susceptible to frauds and scams and confusion.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

in short because I have ranted about this before:

buyer and I could not come to terms. I caught the buyer lying! Buyer would not provide photos of the suppose damage claim. 

Instead of eBay actually reading the  case communication thread and make the right decision in my favor, eBay tells buyer to ship back. I was never given the tracking number to track. About 5-6 days later, I get a notice from eBay that the item was delivered and buyer refunded. Probably been 3+ months now and still waiting for package. I gave eBay my opinion on the review of case. No response of course! Wasn't really expecting it!

I work from home, so I can hear the USPS truck coming and go out to get the mail after delivery. 

[ittybitnot]

. I was never given the tracking number to track. About 5-6 days later, I get a notice from eBay that the item was delivered and buyer refunded.

@sextons-sweet-deals 

Did eBay provide you with the tracking number used against you in the dispute?  My guess is NO.  That seems to be an issue as well when eBay CS refuses to provide the victim of the scam with the necessary information when the tracking information is not uploaded to the case, but mysteriously is provided to eBay in the issue  of the 'return scam'.   eBay seems to be an equal opportunity scammer's assistant be the victim a buyer or seller with the dubious tracking issues. 

[sextons-sweet-deals]

eBay's decision was to tell buyer to return. I assume at their own expense since I was never provided a tracking number. 

When I posted my issue back then, another member said that I would not be given the tracking number because I might interfere with delivery. What a joke!

When it was just eBay and PayPal, everything worked / clicked. Cases were actually reviewed by a real person. 

[siliconalleyelectronics]

I'll give those links a try and hopefully will get these issues resolved faster, thank you.  

I already have the document from USPS showing where exactly it was delivered and where it was sent from, both of which are the wrong addresses and after two submissions of this document I still get this from Ebay:

"The buyer was able to provide us with tracking number *deleted here* which shows the item was returned to your address. Because of this confirmed tracking information, we decided to retain the original decision.   

Please do not feel that we have not considered your side on the matter. As part of eBay, we want to make sure that we exercise fair treatment to all our members.

I suggest that you contact USPS and You may want to ask your neighbors if they received the package by mistake."

[siliconalleyelectronics]

The buyer is still a registered user, and was send to Tualatin Oregon, was signed by M. Gutierrez lol so apparently football players are in on this too.  The "return" came from a clothing store in Torrance California.

I typically see these scams with a shipping address in Wilmington Delaware.

[siliconalleyelectronics]

I would keep fighting them on the issue, the fact that it's coming out of Ebay's pocket at this point probably doesn't help but if you have proof that it was not delivered to you then Ebay is legally obligated to pay you regardless of their policies because their actions directly and wrongfully resulted in the loss of your capital.

[siliconalleyelectronics]

Yes, it typically takes me several messages to CS to actually get the information that I need to provide proof of the delivery address.  All the while, the scammer is free and clear.

[wastingtime101]

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@siliconalleyelectronics wrote:

I'll give those links a try and hopefully will get these issues resolved faster, thank you.  

I already have the document from USPS showing where exactly it was delivered and where it was sent from, both of which are the wrong addresses and after two submissions of this document I still get this from Ebay:

"The buyer was able to provide us with tracking number *deleted here* which shows the item was returned to your address. Because of this confirmed tracking information, we decided to retain the original decision.   

Please do not feel that we have not considered your side on the matter. As part of eBay, we want to make sure that we exercise fair treatment to all our members.

I suggest that you contact USPS and You may want to ask your neighbors if they received the package by mistake."

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I'm so tired of the CS copy/paste bull without reviewing what a seller has actually sent!

Definitely go to eBay for Business on FaceBook with this one. They're much better at handling this stuff.