Fake tracking number scam on ebay

[jeansalvati]

I was the victim of a fake tracking number scam on ebay. A quick google search shows that this type of scam is not uncommon. The seller provided a Fedex tracking number and the item was marked as delivered in the Fedex system (and on ebay), but I never received it. There was ample evidence that the tracking number was fake:

- The tracking history started 2 days before I even placed my order on ebay

- The item was marked as delivered hours after the trakcing information was provided (for a shipment from Chicago, IL to Alexandria, VA)

- The shipment supposedly originated in Chicago, IL, but Chicago did not appear in the tracking history

I contacted ebay, but their response was that I should wait. So I opened a payment dispute with Paypal and provided the evidence above. Nevertheless, Paypal denied my claim, and there is no "Appeal" button in the dispute center next to this claim. 

This is extremely disappointing. Clearly, ebay doesn't do much to protect its users against this kind of scam (and its support staff is not trained about these scams), and I don't think Paypal seriously investigated my claim.

[kernowlass]

@jeansalvati 

Paypal is just a payment processor that gives you 'some' buyer and 'some' seller protection.
So disputes for non receipt of item are mostly automated. Seller provides tracking that shows delivery = seller wins.
So then its your turn to do some work to assist Paypal in recovering your purchase price from your seller.

Firstly ring Paypal customer services and tell them that the number is fake or that the item was shown as shipped before you purchased it. With that information they may well just issue you a refund.

Secondly if they don't then... APPEAL
To submit an appeal on the dispute that was closed, PayPal asks that you obtain a detailed report from the shipper/courier (on their letterhead or some other form of official stationary) that includes the address the seller gave them for the shipment. Or one that includes a statement mentioning your address and saying the item was delivered to a different address. THEY DON'T HAVE TO SAY WHICH ADDRESS IT WAS SENT TO, JUST THAT IT WAS NOT DELIVERED TO YOUR ADDRESS.

Check tracking in below link to see where it went.
https://www.17track.net/en

When you have that, contact PayPal via phone (log on to your account and click contact at the bottom of the page, or via Facebook (send a Private Message to PayPal) or via Twitter (send a Direct Message to @AskPayPal) and say you want to appeal the denial of the dispute based on the shipper saying the item was delivered to a different address. Once it's submitted (you will be provided with directions on how to do that), the dispute will be reviewed further and a determination will be made.

You also have the option to contact your card issuer if you funded your Paypal payment that way and see if they will do a chargeback for you?

[jeansalvati]

Thanks for the reply. I ended up contacting my CC company, and I got a refund. As I said, I fault ebay, not paypal, for the lack of buyer protection. But I expected paypal to investigate my claim more seriously, especially since I did submit a dossier with several files providing clear evidence. So, still not satisfied with paypal.

[kernowlass]

@jeansalvati 

Glad you got a refund, its the reason I always fund my paypal payments via a credit card as it gives you a back up option.