Seller entered wrong tracking number, item never delivered, claim denied by Paypal

[jkofsky]

At the end of October I ordered a game through a website I wasn't familiar with, and used paypal (thinking this was safer than entering my credit card (just in case)).  The tracking number that the seller entered into paypal was incorrect (not my name and not my address) and has been marked as delivered since November 9th. I have not received a package but paid for the item. The case keeps getting denied by paypal because the tracking is marked as delivered, however the tracking number is not for my package. Everything about this situation makes me think I have gotten scammed, but I assumed this would be protected by paypal. I am getting frustrated because I have gotten this case denied twice but when I speak to a representative over the phone they seem sure that this case will be under buyers protection. What should I do to get this cleared up?

Update: It turns out that this "seller" is a known scammer with multiple emails of the same name <removed>. Others have reported that the seller sends a tracking # for the same city but a different name and address and the item never shows. Please help us PayPal!

[sharpiemarker · Accepted solution]

@jkofsky 

You'll need to supply official documentation from the USPS that the tracking number is fake, that the address on the parcel is not your street address but same city, state, zip. Go to your local post office to ask manager for help to provide this information and file a mail fraud report with them to give to PayPal. Or, if you paid with credit card, file a dispute with them instead.

[jkofsky]

Hi, Thanks for the advice. I have reached out to UPS. Unfortunately, since the tracking # is not mine, the address is confidential (although, the name is public and it is clearly not me). All they can tell me is that it does not match my address, and suggest that I take it up with the seller or PayPal. I’ve put this information in the claim to PayPal, but still denied.

[jkofsky]

Thanks for marking this as solved, Paypal. It definitely wasn't..... 

[sharpiemarker]

@jkofsky 

Did UPS send you an email saying that the address on the package is not [your address]? Something anything to say that the address on the package is not yours and not delivered to [Your address]. Then pdf the email and submit it. I don't know if this will work but try if you haven't already. Don't just say to PayPal that UPS said, such and such, but pdf an email response that has UPS logo and everything on it. Maybe even file a police and ic3.gov report to throw into the mix to up load to PayPal.

People have a lil bit of a misconception that credit cards don't protect you. They do, depending on the benefits they provide so check your with card issuer and ask because they do if you use your card raw without an e-Wallet.

[jkofsky]

After providing sufficient information, paypal came to the conclusion that the tracking number provided was incorrect BUT they cannot do anything about it since the state and city match my address. They flagged the scammer's page and made a separate dispute for my credit card company to go through in order to (hopefully) get a refund. 

Watch out for this stuff. Still not positive I'll get my $$ back, and frustrated that PayPal can do nothing about it.