eBay

reb-sv · ‎02-02-2020

I've sold an item to an eBay user with the inactive account, with feedback over 90 days old. The name of the account holder is different than the name on the provided address where the package went.

I wonder how it works. Scammers look for customers, get paid somewhere else rather than eBay offering a cheaper price on the eBay item their client wants to buy. Provide the client's information for shipment in someone's inactive eBay account they have access to, make a purchase with that account using someone else's credit card ?? If so.. then, why would the scammer provide the real phone number! of the client?! Do they want to take calls from ebay? Is it the phone number the scammer himself is using, that won't be able to be tracked in case of investigation??..

There have been many sales like that in the past, in my account. Very suspicious. With changed names, and addresses that didn't actually match the names if I tried to Google more info about the individual who bought something from me.

Also weird messaging as if from someone who actually knows me and just wants to pull my leg. Yeah..messages from so many accounts written in one same pattern, and style.

Who knows how a group of eBay scammers may work? How do they work together through the states?

How do they work together with big businesses that use their services? I've learnt prosperous businesses have their own net moguls. For stealing information?

dhbookds · ‎02-02-2020

I don't understand how you've been scammed? Did you have to refund, did ebay take down the sale?

Names can be changed at checkout, if I want to send something to Aunt Rose......I would change it to her name and address, so that per se is not suspicious to me. Likewise some people only come to ebay at Christmas or for a specific item only occasionally.........

fashunu4eeuh · ‎02-02-2020

Hi, sellers should be cautious when looking out for their best interests. That is good. On the other hand, anticipating chronic problems with one’s account can create needless worry in some cases.

After reviewing your listings and feedback, i just want to reassure you that the described transaction does not appear to be fraudulent based on the observations as outlined in your post.

Many buyers are infrequent users and it would not be unusual to see 90 days of inactivity. It is true that scammers might highjack an inactive account, but they would target users with much longer periods of disuse in order to evade detection.

A scammer would rarely use their own contact information on eBay. Fraudsters want anonymity, and to fly below the radar. A legitimate phone number is more an indication of a legitimate buyer than a person or group out to take down a seller. Your items and price points are not high fraud magnets. It is unlikely you would be targeted on that account.

It is also quite usual for a transaction’s info to be different from PayPal. As long as you ship to the PP address of record that appears during the conclusion of checkout, you are okay. It will say it is okay to ship. Things like guest accounts, folks sending items as gifts, freight forwarders, etc are all legitimate users where the info might not match.

Here in the forums, we hear about constant scams, because this is where victims can find helpful info in navigating their issues. It is unlikely to be an accurate representation of the frequency of fraud on eBay. In the ten years of selling and 16 years of buying, i have not encountered anything worse than non-paying buyers. Most transactions go off without a hitch.

Assessing one’s risk tolerance and finding balance between the two ends of the spectrum (being too cautious vs. being reckless) can go a long way in managing the innate risks in online selling. I wish you much good luck in moving forward with your sales.

.

yuzuha · ‎02-02-2020

How is that a scam? I sometimes buy things for my sister (who lives across the country) and have them sent directly to her. The name and address for shipping will then be hers and not mine, but it's a completely legitimate purchase.

equid0x · ‎02-02-2020

I suspect the buyer may be using you as a drop shipper... However, any weird messaging is definitely a red flag. If I were uncomfortable with the transaction, I would cancel it.

kensgiftshop · ‎02-02-2020

@reb-sv wrote:
I've sold an item to an eBay user with the inactive account, with feedback over 90 days old. The name of the account holder is different than the name on the provided address where the package went.

I see nothing wrong with this.

Some buyers might only buy once or twice a year.

As far as the address, could be room mates, parents or other family members.

Have a great day.