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Tue May 5 2015 15:51:15

How eBay Sellers Can Use USPS Tracking to Commit Fraud

By: Reader

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Dear Ina,
Very often we users on this site are familiarized with buyer abuse and fraud, but there is an ever growing threat from seller fraud particularly on high priced items. eBay and PayPal often do well with siding for buyers, as we all know, but there is a new threat that neither are prepared for.

Our company is a bulk purchaser on eBay of used consumer electronics so we have experienced just about every type of seller fraud there is, and the latest is very difficult to overcome unless you are aware of the tools:

As most of us know, if a seller sends a purchased package with USPS tracking less than $750.00 and tracking shows a delivery in the buyer's zip code, eBay and PayPal both consider that a delivered package even if the buyer claims it was not received.

However, what if a fraudulent seller who is savvy to the rules, locates a random address in the buyer's registered address zip code, ie: a library, a hotel, a fire dept or any number of easily obtained addresses; then ships an empty package with tracking there.

Well I will tell you what happens, the buyer does not receive it, tries to open an eBay Item Not Received Case or PayPal Resolution's Case, and both of which will be found in the seller's favor and the buyer WILL LOSE THEIR MONEY. What's worse is a Credit Card Company will also likely deny the claim

The only way to combat this is difficult for a buyer. If you believe you are victim of this scam, visit your local PO through which the item passed, bring your tracking number, and ask for an actual scanned image of the parcel and shipping label. They will be able to provide it and it could show a different address than yours with the uploaded tracking number.

It is best if possible to have USPS email it to you so the email shows a USPS email address. You can then provide this information to PayPal or eBay, and the case or appeal will be granted to the buyer.

So what is PayPal and eBay doing about this? Not much yet, but the technology is there now from USPS and hopefully they will cooperate together to make this information more easily obtainable to combat seller fraud.
I.

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Readers Comments

How eBay Sellers Can Use USPS Tracking to Commit F

by: terryjon
Web Site

Wed Jan 18 07:30:38 2017

Post has successfully received the documentation requested and if it is correct proceed to draw up a budget indicating all customs package tracking that the goods must meet according to their characteristics and associated costs

How eBay Sellers Can Use USPS Tracking to Commit F

by: jennymax
Web Site

Wed May 23 00:44:23 2018

@ebay refugee camp:
> You cannot run that scam on ebay, ebay will check the
> address to see if it was shipped to the correct address.

USPS Delivery Confirmation does not specify what address the package was delivered to. It only states the recipient's City and ZIP code. That's the loophole that a scam seller takes advantage of: in order to win the Item Not Received dispute and keep the money, he need only provide a tracking number showing a Delivered status to someplace (unspecified) within the buyer's City and ZIP.

If you read through the discussion in the link that I provided above, you can see how the scam plays out, and how the scammer (almost) succeeded.

How eBay Sellers Can Use USPS Tracking to Commit F

by: kattattak

Sun Nov 18 18:45:44 2018

Hello all,

I wish I had come across this website much sooner. An eBay scammer used the very same scam described by a_c_green. The buyer filed an Item Not as Described claim against me, and then when the item was shipped back, it was delivered to a random address in my zip code.

Unfortunately, my post office would not provide me a scan of the address where the item was delivered due to privacy concerns. Because of this, PayPal sided with the buyer, and they have my item and my money.

I have filed a complaint with the US Postal Inspectors, but by the time I hear back from them, it will probably be too late to file an appeal.

How eBay Sellers Can Use USPS Tracking to Commit F

by: kattattak

Sun Nov 18 19:07:41 2018

On a side note, the eBay buyer's eBay account has been suspended.

How eBay Sellers Can Use USPS Tracking to Commit F

by: Elliot183

Tue Apr 7 09:45:34 2020

This scam is still going on. I and 50 or more other buyers were just ripped of by an Ebay seller.

What many fail to realized is the the post office marks the package as “delivered” to a mailbox or front door with a state, city and zip code. No specific address is given.

To prove this scam, I sent a magazine as cheaply as possible to an address near where I lived a few years back. I purposely mislabeled the name. It does not matter. All the PO needs is a valid address. So now I have my tracking number. I give this to my unsuspecting buyer. He thinks it’s on the way as he follows the tracking information and then it says delivered. He searches the mailbox, front door, under his car. No package.

But the PO marks it delivered and that’s all that Ebay cares about.

Obtain an Intranet Postal Tracking form from your local post office. It can help.

If you want to make 100% certain you are reimbursed, contact your bank and get the charge rescinded.

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