Tracking number scam

[lmp319986]

So I recently ordered a switch that was sold at $254. The seller had made an account the day the listing was put up and already sold a few. I questioned them on some things and the response I got was unsettling, as the grammar was off. However, my shipment was sent quickly, so I just waited for my package.

On the day of the supposed arrival, I had to call UPS using the tracking number that was provided. They said that the number was delivered to the same city but was addressed to a completely different person and home address that they could not provide me with due to privacy policies. I was getting worried, so I contacted ebay via online chat. The person seemed very helpful and opened a case for me, promising that I would get a refund as a one-time courtesy if the seller does not reply with picture proof of the shipping label with my address and name alongside the tracking number. They were given 3 days, so I waited and finally decided to have ebay step in to fulfill their promise. However, they closed the case without my promised refund, so I'm trying to file an appeal. I have the chat transcript of the promised refund, but I'm having a hard time getting in contact with a representative that will handle my case. They keep trying to transfer me to another person on the chat line, but after waiting for an hour or so, I figured that I was abandoned. I already tried contacting UPS to get documentation affirming that I did not receive a package under the provided tracking number. They said they cannot help me, and I must handle it with the seller (who has been MIA these days). I also filed a ic3.gov report, but I'm afraid that there will be no follow up to help my appeal to ebay.

Right now, I'm trying to see how paypal can help me. The response is slow, but I dont know or have anywhere else I can look to. Things are not looking so great, it's a substantial amount of money, and I'm losing sleep over this due to anxiety.

[paradiso*bella*a*venire]

I think the best thing right now is to stick with your bank seeing as they sound more promising than paypal is right now. I think paypal isnt liking that you went to the bank before them so they  are being cryptic in their  answers to you, but many people do not know the order they should take when filing a dispute

It seems to me your bank would consider things Ebay/Paypal arent and the bank would more likely  be willing to get the  info they need from the carrier sonthat they can make a more fair ruling

[lmp319986]

Thank you for the advice, I really appreaciate the support. I am going to attempt to visit the UPS store tomorrow and see what I can do about that documentation. Might have to drive to multiple stores, I read online that the services vary depending on what type of people working there are willing to to give information... some people in the same situation as me got lucky and was provided documentation and other info to resolve this matter. I apparently do not have beginner's luck at all...

[paradiso*bella*a*venire]

Thats a great thing  to do, you never know what you end up with and you're right. I, too, have seen where others have done that and was successful in their attemtps. Its great youre not just laying down on this 👍🏻 

Keep us posted and I wish you great success!

[sweetwatercalifornia]

I would agree that going to your bank is the best bet.

But the question is, where did your funds come from?  I know you paid with PayPal.  But was the money already in your PayPal account (e.g., did you have $300 sitting in your PayPal account), or was your PayPal balance at $0, and therefore PayPal debited your bank?

If the money was already in your PayPal account, then your bank was not part of the transaction, and therefore cannot help you.  (Side note:  you should NEVER keep money in your PayPal account.)

 If the money came from your bank, then PayPal was simply the middle-man in transferring the money to the seller.  Therefore, your bank will see PayPal as the one who took the money (they won't care about the actual fraudster who's petting your cash).  And all you need to do is file an "unauthorized" transaction claim.  Now, you're gonna sign some paperwork asking you if you know who the culprit is (you could either say that you don't know, or you could say PayPal is the bad guy).  The paperwork is also gonna ask you if you authorized the transaction, and you're gonna sign under penalty of perjury.  Now, you are the one who clicked "pay now."  But--now I'm no lawyer--to my understanding, an "unauthorized" transaction is one which does not contain your signature.  Since you never actually signed on PayPal, your transaction was "unauthorized."  In fact--I think--this is how and why the bank sides with you in the first place.  When you call your bank and say "hey, this transaction was 'unauthorized,'" your bank will call PayPal and say "hey there buddy, can you show us the signature in which our client signed for that GameBoy?"  And PayPal will say "no, but...<click! dial-tone>" and the bank will hang up the phone on them, and the money will be back in your account momentarily. 

When you call your bank (or chat with them online), don't give them too much info.  Just point to a transaction and say it's unauthorized.  Don't tell them your life story and everything you tried to do to recover it.  Just keep it simple and fill out the paperwork.

Good luck.

[lmp319986]

Thanks for the advice. I already filed a claim earlier about this with the bank, and I just got the email from the bank saying the claim has been filed. My checking account is connected to paypal, so it seems like it is as you say about paypal's part in this. Paypal is probably closing my dispute now that the bank has input my files, so for now, I'll try to gather more information as the bank investigates.

[lmp319986]

Hi, it's been a while. The bank us halfway through the investigation and has still not contacted me for a follow up. When I tried contacting a couple times, there has been no answers at all. After doing more research and inquiries online, I think I have to give this case up, as there is a great possibility that my bank will side with paypal allowing this to happen. I'm getting tired of the running around in circles and stressing, so after I reach a response, I may or may not try to appeal. So far:

Ebay has offered a refund, then rescinded it after seeing I closed the claim on paypal. It was a self-imposed detriment because I was panicking. I wish there was more of a phone-based convo I could have had with customer service-everything was extremely inconvenient with email and online chats that leave you hanging for responses at erratic times. Also, they need to stop employing bots to respond to initial disputes and have someone actually review the issues.

Since I cannot reopen cases at paypal (which was not helping anyways) I'm relying on my bank, although a few advices have told me the great possibility of not being successful. So, I tried opening a claim at UPS in order to gather documentation and proof of the issue with the fake tracking number. I'm guessing the investigation will not make it in time to present it to my bank during their investigation. 

I'm on the brink of letting this all go and have it be a lesson learned. It's hard to ignore the big chunk of money missing from my account however, so I might try to contact some federal consumer protection agencies if I have the fight left in me. Otherwise, I might just treat myself to a few drinks and rant to more forums to vent haha. If there are anymore suggestions and advice, feel free to post. Thanks all.

[bebe-1153]

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@lmp319986 wrote:

So, I tried opening a claim at UPS in order to gather documentation and proof of the issue with the fake tracking number. I'm guessing the investigation will not make it in time to present it to my bank during their investigation. 

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Unnecessary. Have your bank call UPS. You win. Done.

[lmp319986]

The dispute dept is not answering my calls. I will keep trying to call before the investigation is closed- just hoping someone will pick up.

[bebe-1153]

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@lmp319986 wrote:

The dispute dept is not answering my calls. I will keep trying to call before the investigation is closed- just hoping someone will pick up.

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Send a document to Billing Inquiry Support at your bank. The dispute department will see it.

Ask your bank to call UPS to verify that the label was not addressed to you; no need to find out that other address, just that it's not your address.

[lmp319986]

Thanks for the suggestion, I really appreciate it. My bank (wells fargo) does not have this sort of set up, however, I think I found something as close as it could get resembling this. I found that I could make requests through the private messaging center, so I did for now. I will be calling them again for more info about this possibility as well.

[ktr-tki-h1jbadsffr]

This scam just happened to me this June.

I bought an expensive camera on ebay. Paid with paypal. The seller sent me the UPS tracking number the next day. On the delivery day, I got noticed that UPS has delivered the item. But I was home the whole day, and I did not hear or see anything from UPS.  I called UPS right away and they said the destination is not my address. UPS suggested it must be a mistake by seller. I tried to contact the seller via ebay and paypal. No replies.

The next day, I contacted UPS again to ask for info on the tracking. UPS said it's policy to not give out info not related to me, suggesting I contacted the seller to confirm the destination address.

So the next step for me is to dispute via ebay since the seller is not responding to any contact from me (of course). I documented with ebay the above, hoping that ebay will ask the seller to confirm the destination address, right? If he's legit, he should have receipt, right? And ebay should protect buyers since this scam happens a lot on ebay, right?

None of that happened. The seller only sent ebay the UPS tracking with my area code which ebay already got on the order status, and ebay just accepted it and closed my case! Without even reading/commenting on anything I described. Not even keeping it open and ask me for evidence from UPS!  This is ridiculous!  Made me wonder if ebay is tolerating scammers just to make money.

Who would have the destination address of the package when it's sent? the sender or the receiver? who would have the receipt?  Isn't it easier to ask the shipping receipt than that tracking status ebay already had!

This kind of thing does not make me want to buy anything on ebay. Amazon may be more expensive, but at least I can save myself headaches and time.

[mercattus]

This just happened to me as well. Seller based in Austria, PayPal account in Morocco, Item claimed to ship from CA but UPS label said it came from TX. Also label was printed 3 days before the order. Obviously shipped to the right city but different address. Seller also tried to close the case over chat couple of times which eBay didn't do thankfully BUT he added a brand new UPS label and called ebay to close the case and eBay did.

These sellers have figured out a way to find lables going to the city. eBay hasn't figured out a systematic way of handling this.

[craigsdieselrepair]

So did everything work out? Were you able to get refunded by your bank or by PayPal? 

[moon_goddess_emporium]

I was a Fraud Analyst for Visa, MC, Discover.

When buying high-priced items here, but also anywhere, use a credit card only.

Not even a debit, they offer less protection.

Do not ever use your PayPal balance.  It's tempting, but you're not protected except by them.

Now create with the card issuer:  Item Not Received.

ALL banks in U.S. have this ability, even WF.

Open a Credit Card Dispute, and if receive but broken or wrong, open: Item Not as Described.

If your bank/issuer will not help, you can also get Visa, MC, D. directly involved.

You will win, but it takes time with the $$$ out of your pocket.  Sad these scammers have become so prevalent in here.