I was scammed, what do I do?

[SeanLiendo]

On Wednesday, June 3rd at 8:10 PM I received an email from service with a personal and merchant transaction ID attached for a purchase. This was a payment to Dinh <removed> for an item off of a website I should have looked further into before making a purchase from. I am unsure why this transaction is not showing in my transaction history, as I used this specific invoice to create my account here, because I normally just use my Visa debit card to make transactions and the website asked me to enter that information into PayPal for a one time purchase. My bank is telling me the only way to resolve the scam and get a refund is to completely cancel my card and get a new one, so I'm hoping I can resolve the issue here first. The website is called skaramall.com, and I have already reported them to the FTC. The amount was $109.99, and I want to see if I can get my money back from here because I am never going to get the item I purchased before having to cancel my card and re-enter it into all of my saved websites, re-order a designed card, re-memorize the CVV, etc. Any help?

[ommy]

I had this same problem with "skamamall".  They really set up a convincing scam!  Now I know to be more careful...

I used PayPal messaging center and just laid it all out for them. They said I needed info from UPS to show that the stuff didn't get sent to me.  I sent an email to the UPS fraud unsuccessfully because they replied with an unspecific email saying those items weren't shipped to me, but it didn't quote my email showing tracking numbers.  I then opened up claims in the UPS website saying that the package was "lost" and they sent back automated emails which showed the wrong address and recipient.  This was sufficient for PayPal and I have since been refunded thru their buyer protection.  It was a pain and took several messages but I eventually recovered the money.

The whole fake tracking number bit is pretty clever.  They must be hacking UPS or have and insider?  What I don't understand is why these scammers even bother with the fake tracking?  It surely makes it a pain for me to get back the money, but in the end they are ripping off PayPal or the credit companies.  Does it delay getting their accounts banned?

[Maelstrom04]

I had the same bad experience with Skaramall (I hope they have to spend all the money they scammed to cure of a very painful hemorrhoid's case).

Here a suggestion to resolve the issue quickly:

1) when you receive the PayPal communication with the tracking number, forward it to <removed>  , asking to confirm if the recipient is you and the address is yours.

2) open a case with PayPal and copy/paste the email you will receive from UPS 

That should do.

Calling UPS or PayPal is pointless, for UPS cannot disclose to you the details of the shipment because, guess what? you are not the recipient 🙂 and good luck with getting a hold on a warm body at PayPal.

The UPS email will look like this:

Hello,
 

Thank you for your inquiry.  We are aware that individuals may inappropriately use the UPS name or its services to perpetuate fraudulent activities.

The tracking number, 1Zxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, you were provided by the seller is not related to you nor the package you were expecting.

If you continue to have issues, you can file a police report or report this incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

While UPS is not liable for the actions of third parties, we are working to prevent and detect fraud where possible.  We appreciate you taking the time to make sure we are aware of the situation.  

I hope this helps someone else.

Ciao

[Gammazoid]

I commented before but I'll update this with some advice (from someone who has not got any satisfaction so I can say what NOT to do).

• I opened an "Unauthorized" dispute as soon as I figure out I was scammed and send an order cancellation to the scammer's e-mail.
• The scammer put my order on "Hold" rather than providing shipping information.
• Paypal denied my dispute (ignoring the contents, no doubt).  The dispute is "Closed" and I cannot re-open it nor can I created another dispute for another reason (like non-delivery).
• Several times, I've "messaged" PayPal and the representative said PayPal is trying to contact the scammer, and PayPal will let me know how that turns out (hah, hah).
• Every week, I'll retry messaging them to get status until something changes.

So, at least from my vantage point, you should

• never expect PayPal to stop this ongoing scam by trying to give them timely information
• never open a dispute until you have the ammunition to prove your case
• never show you hand to the scammer lest he takes evasive actions

[Way2shg]

I was scammed by the same scheme, in June 2020, in excess of $100. This is a professional scam ring and the amount of people being scammed and the value totals should have PayPal shutting down all payments to them and the FBI investigating. I want to see them prosecuted. I’m coming for them and I won’t stop until us we then serve jail time. Let’s stay vigilant and not let this go!!! First, we can identify the head of this crime spree? And why is PayPal supporting it?

[Queenmami]

Me too! And you would think that with multiple people claiming the exact same thing that paypal would look more into it. And the whole reason I even started a paypal account was because it was supposed to be safer. I have never even done anything like this before. I usually just stick to websites I know and trust. I regret ever making that purchase. I spent $98.45 on a chaise lounge chair to lay out in. They are so expensive for a decent one and when I seen the one on skaramall.com I thought I just got lucky. From now on I will definitely do more research before making a purchase like this again. If I don't get my money back I am going to close my PayPal account and open a new one. I'm afraid my information may have been compromised. I pray not but I would rather take the necessary precautions. I did make a claim with ups and I hope to have some luck with them but after reading these post along with many others I don't forsee that happening. I'm really disappointed in paypal's approach to the situation!

[Gammazoid]

I'm still working on my reimbursement (6 weeks).   After I disputed the charge with PayPal, on about the last possible day, SkaraMall.com produced a (clearly bogus) UPS tracking number of a package of about the right weight to the right city.  While still awaiting the PayPal response (a denial if the pattern holds), I created a "claim" against UPS to get documentation that the package was not addressed to me.  UPS seems completely clueless (i.e., their automated responses and even when I talk to a person).  So, it is a battle with both UPS and PayPal to get the matter resolved.  I assume this is a percentage game ... many people give up (because of all the incompetence at both UPS and PalPal in handling such a scammer) and even so PayPal cannot determine with certainty that this a 100% scam operation even with repeated evidence the scammer is producing bogus tracking numbers.

[Kinsey035]

While it is INCREDIBLE to me that PayPal hasn’t done anything about this for me, or anyone else, I was able to open a dispute with my credit card company (I used my CC to pay thru PayPal) and they just notified me that my case has been completed and I received all of my $197 back. Probably better to go through your bank or credit card company than waste your time with PayPal.

[Suzette44]

Contact the UPS fraud department. For some reason I cannot list the email for them, but it is fraud at UPS dot com.

[Gammazoid]

Just an update ... after SkaraMall.com produced a bogus tracking number (to the right city of about the right weight), after a few days, PayPal issued a refund to me (w/o further proof from me of non-delivery).  So, in this case, I did not have to get UPS to produce evidence of the fraud (but I did start a UPS "claim" which I don't seem to be able to stop).  Anyhow, PayPal may be clued in a bit better finally.  Good luck to those still awaiting refunds.