*****WARNING**** NEW FRAUD*** FRAUD RING***RETURNING SMALL EMPTY BOXES WITH EBAY FEDEX LABEL

[java_exotic_imports]

******UPDATE***** 

This is obviously a large ring operating across the US.  We've had several high value orders returned using this scheme.  All are same, its PRO in quality.  They obviously picked this weekend thinking you would be too busy to figure out that the tiny box is actually a "return" for the LARGE item and you will put it aside because you are too busy, and the REFUND will be auto applied in a few days because ebay would be electronically notified that the return was completed.

NOTE:  box is tiny and weighs less than 2 oz.  They put the original ship size but keep the weight around half the original.  The tiny box is very difficult to read, you have to look it over carefully to see that its a return, especially if you are selling larger items and not expecting something like this back.  The box contains (but Im sure they will change this up) 3 uninflated balloons, perhaps as a confusion tactic so you think its some sort of promotion from some wacky vendor.  ALL the BUYERS were NEW within the last 6 months and had no buying history.  We have a total of 5 right now.

If you get this, act immediately and contact Ebay.  Take pictures and document., If your lucky like us, FEDEX will have taken picture of the delivery and that will be documented online with FEDEX tracking.   When calling ebay, document your call and insist that they do something about it.  The faster you report the better.  They can deny the REFUND and the crook will be out of all their money plus postage.

Several items with large value being returned as defective, which was odd to begin with, but just received them today via FEDEX, return was a small box empty using EBAY FEDEX label. 

This is not an amateur or crooked buyer, it looks to be very professionally orchestrated.

Been trying to get through to ebay for an hour now, of course there is no way to do so....rediculous!!!!  Finally got through by selected non related item, and then wait for call, then the person cannot hear me on phone, so they hang up after trying for a minute.  

[robbie31415]

Nothing new about it.

It's a shame.

Ebay allows you to deduct upto 50% if eligible (TRS with 30 day returns or Above average with Free 30 day returns)

Outside of that, eBay CS may cover as a courtesy.

If you dont settle it and they ask eBay to step in then you may have to refund in full and lose eBay fees paid.

You can report them for fraud to FBI cyber crimes and file a police report.

[funfactorychannel]

lol same thing just happen to me today. I have to talk to FedeX Monday and then see if there are options before refunding half. I don't expect eBay CS to ever get this policy right.

A 15lbs item became just a small package from New Mexico

[bonanza125]

Nothing much can be done. Your warning is actually a common scam which has been posted in threads a lot. Regulars are fully aware of the scam. You can report it to Ebay but most likely nothing will be done. You are advised not to list high valued items. There is a risk that something like this will happen. You can take the buyer to court but unfortunately that's all you can do. 

[janet9988]

Not new fraud. Been going on for years.

[bgt_masters_of_tiki_d]

File a report with the ic3.gov site for internet fraud. Once you get the case number contact ebay on facebook and show them a copy of the report. I've always been covered when I've done this. No matter what you do, don't let the return time out because ebay will send the refund automatically and you'll get a ding on your account. 

[vintagecraze50]

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@java_exotic_imports wrote:

several items with large value being returned as defective, which was odd to begin with, but just received them today via FEDEX, return was a small box empty using EBAY FEDEX label. 

This is not an amateur or crooked buyer, it looks to be very professionally orchestrated.

Been trying to get through to ebay for an hour now, of course there is no way to do so....rediculous!!!!  Finally got through by selected non related item, and then wait for call, then the person cannot hear me on phone, so they hang up after trying for a minute.  

---

Absolutely file IC3.GOV REPORT for internet fraud/crime. Also this is postal mail fraud, so find out how to do that with FEDEX. DO BOTH. GET THE REPORTS SUBMITTED TO EBAY BECAUSE THEY NEED TO KNOW you are doing something about this and THEY need to know who is scamming the pants off of other customers as well and block their account.

[jasoheat_0]

unless ebay starts using USPS for return , where a seller can report mail fraud and they will actually do something aboutr it

[ittybitnot]

@java_exotic_imports 

To what city/state did you originally send the product? 

[ittybitnot]

@funfactorychannel 

To what city/state did you originally ship the product?   In what country was your buyer registered? 

It appears you and @java_exotic_imports  are both likely victims of the "fake tracking return scam".  Though there have been a few variations of this over time, basically they send something back just for verification of "delivery" of a return.  The used to use their own labels (purchase some cheap trinket on the net and have it shipped to a location in your Zip Code, but more recently have taken to 'tweaking' the return label you sent for this purchase.  You have a photo of the package with that tracking number used, as it was sent to you.  

Contact eBay via one of their social media portals: 

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

OR one of these:

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

https://x.com/askebay

Very often this scam is popular with buyers in other countries that make use of a US based Freight Forwarder.  They are not concerned about being reported to an US government entity. 

[java_exotic_imports]

Yep thats it!  I was able to get ahold of ebay last night finally and spent an hour on the phone with them.  I told them that this is a PROFESSIONAL fraud scheme, not a bad buyer.  They are in the process of investigating and said the accounts would be shut down.  I sent them pictures of the boxes (just like yours) and the contents which were uninflated balloons.  In my case Fedex took a photo of the delivery so that works perfect in our favor showing its a tiny box.  The criminals were smart enough to put the size of the shipment to match what was shipped to them, but they kept the weight low so not cost too much.  These criminals are TAKING ADVANTAGE of the EBAY return program, where the return FEDEX label is inexpensive so makes their SCAM cost effective.  In the photo you see two returns....sorry for the blackout but I'm over sensitive to info leakage.  In each box were 3 balloons.  Ingenious because when they first arrived I thought it was some sort of whacky gift from a vendor.  But after an hour when I had time, my curiosity made me go back and start looking more closely where I was able to figure out from the exterior package info where it was coming from and then realize it was a scam.  What they were counting on Im sure was that we'd be too busy to get to this given its a holiday, and that the time period for refunds would automatically trigger the refund with us thinking it was not yet returned.  So this is a WELL THOUGHT out fraud!!!  

[java_exotic_imports]

Sorry Bonanza but I disagree, yes I know of this scam its old as you indicate, but this one is wide spread and is very professionally run.  Ebay has a RESPONSIBILITY to protect from scams.  They are the ones that screen new accounts and are responsible for ensuring buyers are real.  Obviously they are doing a poor job of that.  It is unrealistic to say NOT to list high value items.  Ebay is a marketplace with no restrictions just like Amazon.  While the luster of ebay has eroded during the years, they still are trying to make a comeback and things like this are not going to help.  At the same time its our duty as sellers to bring this to their attention and push for them to do something.  Thats what I'm trying to do.  Sadly, if this were to happen on Amazon, they would deal with it IMMEDIATELY and Amazon would protect us.  EBAY MUST do the same if they want to stay in business.

[java_exotic_imports]

Its NEW for right now.....and again....its a PRO ring.  The refunds are coming from all over the country so that shows it is a large pro criminal ring.

[java_exotic_imports]

Good advice, I had not heard about this.  Overall though, sadly our gov does very little to stop this sort of thing.  I spent many years in banking and finance and worked closely with fraud dept.  The last decade its completely out of control....the stories I could tell!!!!!!

[funfactorychannel]

@ittybitnot mine was from Vegas to albuquerque. I had free return so it auto created a return label for them. So they are in the US address to a house. Looks like small time trying to get free items.