For so many years, I have been very careful with scams, and never thought I would make such a mistake. However, I think eBay should hold accountable to some extent. I have contacted eBay three times via chat, and "it is escalated". While waiting, I want to share what happened.
1. One day morning I got a message from one buyer complainting that my buyer requiremments prevent him from paying as he is a new buyer. It contains a clickable tinyurl link in the ebay app. I clicked and it seems a legitimate ebay website but asking my login info. I typically don't click any link like that. But in the early morning my brain was probably not running well and I logged in from there and find nothing to change in the setting.
2. I got an item (a different item) sold message 30 minutes later from ebay, and also a message from another buyer that he has paid. I looked at the ebay transaction, and it says ship it now.
3. I checked the payment history, i don't find the payment though. However, I did see something called self-note saying the payment is on hold until Dec. 27. (self-note is new for me, i should have chance to find it is a scam at this stage too)
4. After printing the shipping label, I am still not sure about the payment. I contacted ebay chat support, asking about the transaction, and pending payment. The representative assured me that everything looks good. A payment will be transfer to my account as soon as USPS delivery shows it is delivered.
5. I shipped it. Two days after delivery, i still dont see it in my ebay payment, and then realized there might be soemthing wrong.
6. I contacted ebay chat again, and a represensative asked me if I changed myself to payment received, i said no. I showed him the chat record on Dec. 15 when I was assured everything looks fine. He said to escalated the issue to his managers and would get me back in 5 business days.
7. 14 days has passed. Today I checked with ebay chat support again and was told they are still investigating. The chat representative suggested me to ask the buyer to pay, though the buyer is no longer registered on ebay already.
I see the whole scam process: the scammer accessed my ebay account, modified the listing (i usually require immediate payment), marked payment received, added a self-note that the payment is pending and will be released by Dec 27th, and then ship it now was showing even though payment is not received).
My item is $830, and i paid USPS priority shipping, insurance, signature required, etc. The buyer is in Miami, FL.
I admitted I should have not clicked the link in the first place. But in my view, ebay cannot deny their responsibility:
1. Do not prevent the clickable scam tinyurl from sending to me.
2. I had 2-step auth enabled but I did not get notification when my account was accessed by the scammer.
3. The representative confirmed me everything is fine when i ask for the transaction. eBay has opportunity to stop the scam but they don't.
What should I do, if ebay does not take care of my case? Should I go for small claim court? eBay still charged my final value fee and other cost which is around $80.
Thanks.
