SCAM - Exploiting Return Shipping Charges

[Govest]

I know that I am not the first person to be hit by this scam (I know of at least three others who have had similar experiences), but it just demonstrates another MAJOR hole in PayPal buyer protection (or perhaps I should say lack of protection).

1. Purchased an item for $50 (not actual but easy to see the problem as you read on)
2. Shipper sends nothing but an empty box (i.e. $0 value) but now has delivery confirmation
3. Advise PayPal
4. Paypal checks tracking number - an item was in fact shipped & delivered
5. Paypal advises 'return item and account will be credited'

Problem is:

• Cost of shipping from China ~ $2.50 (actual cost to ship since China Government Subsidizes Shipping Costs)
• Cost of return shipping to China ~ $59 (actual cost to return ship)

I slipped up and accidently forgot to change the funding source to credit card. 

What I have learned by the process is to set up another PayPal account for purchases seperate from the account I use for general transactions with the ONLY funding source by credit card AND don't waste my time with PayPal dispute handling but IMMEDIATELY use the provisions under my credit card to do a charge back. 

Under the terms of my credit card it is the sellers responsibility to prove not only that a shipment was sent but that the shipment was in fact what was ordered.  If not, and the seller wants the item delivered returned, the item can be return shipped COD not at my expense.

[bernardprestige]

I advertised my car for sale in the Autotrader for £1450 and a buyer contacted me informing me that he has sent £2200 to my PayPal account for the car and shipping cost and asked me to send £700 through western union to the shipping agents who would collect the vehicle. I was not happy with this and mentioned this to a friend who told me the same thing happened to him and he reported this to PayPal. So everyone beware we did n't get conned but you may. 

[brookesy]

Me to man advertised my mates bike on ebay scumbag answered yes i will pay shipping to malaysia you send me £800 to western union for bike export since then i have received spoof paypal emails, emails stating my ebay account is frozen ,do not think these emails are easy to spot someone out there is spending a lot of time studying ebay and paypal emails these pieces of s--- are very clever trust no one or else you will be sorry saying that been on ebay since 2004 first time someone as really chased after me i phoned ebay today very reassuring but believe me their out there take care and enjoy. brookesy x.

[mayfair]

hi this similair problem but i did get item but nothing like what i ordered and would cost almost as much to return as it did to buy plus seller says wont refund postage to or back, well the to i have paid for already so not prepared to lose return postage cost too. i am curious how the crdit card charge back works though, as i think i pay with visa debit would i be covered ? Does it work by which box you have as your main source of funds on paypal as i have two their.

[Stephenartist]

I ahve been contacted by a potential customer for a drawing. He chose the most expensive and heaviest item on my site - said it was a present for his grandma and wanted his shipper to collect it - he insisted on paying by Paypal. before paying he said he was a US sailor at sea a nd couldn't pay the shipper so could he send me the extra shipping costs and then have me pay the shipper. However when I asked he wouldn't give me his shipper's details. I conclude that this is a scam of some kind and wont continue with the sale.....

Has anyone had experience of this? it is a gmail account and contained grammatical and spelling errors

just made me suspicious.

[PayPal_lucy]

Hey there,

These requests to send payments through Western Union are not something PayPal would ever do.

You do right to think that they are suspicious