Potential fraud question

[upf2k]

Hi All,

I have a question about a possible hacked account buying my item.  I had an electronics item that was bought by a member ID who’s shipping address was confirmed.  I then got an email from another member ID saying to ship to a different address.  I said no thanks and cancelled the transaction. I responded to that message saying I cancelled the transaction. Then another member ID said they would change the address.  I did not respond and relisted it.  

Then I got an email from the correct member ID asking why did I cancel it.  I gave him the reasons why, and he understood and said he would change his password.  I said I relisted it, and he bought it.  I said I am shipping to his address signature required.  He was fine with it.

A third random member ID contacted me saying to ship to a different address.  I took a screen grab of all 3 user ID’s and messages that were not the original and sent them to the buyer.  He said it was strange and would contact ebay. He confirmed to send it to his address.

Is this whole thing a scam, or is this a legitimate buyer who’s account got hacked? Do I ship it to the confirmed address or cancel the transaction again?

[pctech007 · Accepted solution]

@upf2k- Keep those screen shots you have. Sounds like very shady buyer who is asking you to ship to a middle man. I assume you got paid? If not. HOLD ONTO THE ITEM and contact eBay about it.

[upf2k]

Thanks.  It sounds like you are correct.  The buyer contacted ebay and said my account might be having suspicious activity.  I just changed the password.  No issues with Paypal funds.  Scammers.  

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

The ACTUAL buyer had nothing to do with the scam attempts.

[pjcdn2005]

It doesn't sound to me like anyone was hacked. You said a different ID asked you to ship the item to a different address, if the account was hacked they would have been using the same ID, not a different one. 

I wouldn't cancel it again as it isn't the original buyers fault that other people are trying to get you to send the item to them.  I would send it the buyers payment address. As long as you do that, you are covered for an INR claim.

[pburn]

pctech007 is incorrect, so it's kind of too bad you chose that reply as the solution. This is a fairly old scam that's been posted about dozens of times on these discussion boards.

Here's (basically) how it works:

• I spot something I want, maybe something expensive--like $1,349, for example.
• When I see that it's been sold, I contact the seller, asking them to ship it to a different address. Probably because my brother's in the hospital and I need to be with him at a different address, or because I'm away at college and forgot to change my eBay address, or . . .

If you send it, your real buyer will eventually contact you either about something they spot on the tracking or when they don't receive. By that time, it's too late.