I am certain I the victim of a fake tracking number scam

Doc18
Contributor
Contributor
Hi, I recently fell for, what seems to be after reading pages upon pages of user reviews of something that is called a fake tracking number scam. I bought the items from a Chinese suplier, he sent the goods 2 days after the purchase, now shipping was supposed to arrive in 5-7 days. It's now been 19 days and the items have not arrived. The tracking number provided I later found out is from a website called xinran supply, after searching some more I found a number of people saying that they were also given tracking numbers from this shipping carrier, the items appeared as being delivered but they did not receive anything. The website of the carrier is clearly fake, no contact, phone does not work and when I clicked the buttons on it it redirects me to nicepage, convenient. But it shows tracking in 17track.I have not yet opened a dispute, I want to do this but after reading all of the stories, I do not know what the best course of action is, I have proof from DHL that there is no package being shipped to me despite the seller saying that Xinransuply is a DHL member. I do not know what is the best option to pick for a dispute. Some people say it's item not as described, some say item not received, but doing that PayPal system is going to side with the seller, but the carrier website that supplies this information is clearly a scam. I know I made a mistake, I do not know if and how posting this story here will help. Thank you so much in advance. Your are all wonderful people. I intent to contact by phone PayPal customer support in the morning.
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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
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@Doc18 

 

If you open not as described and win then you would have to return the item (that you didn't get) back to the seller and at your own expense (trackable to prove delivery) before getting a refund of your original payment only.

 

So you would need to file non receipt and provide written proof from the carrier that you didn't receive the item.


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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Doc18 

 

If you open not as described and win then you would have to return the item (that you didn't get) back to the seller and at your own expense (trackable to prove delivery) before getting a refund of your original payment only.

 

So you would need to file non receipt and provide written proof from the carrier that you didn't receive the item.


Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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Doc18
Contributor
Contributor
Thank you so much for your answer. That is the correct path to take, I also spoke to PayPal customer support, they are wonderful, I'm sure the issue will be resolved. Have a wonderful day 🙏🏻
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Louisjstonesr27
New Community Member
I just now read about the fake traking number scam. I wish I would've known and done my research about XinRan before hand also. I'm not sure on how I go about filing a dispute about a claim with this same place. I guess I've learned my leason.
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Russtacc
Contributor
Contributor

This situation reflects negatively on PayPal which aids the scammers by not vetting the sellers properly. It took me several weeks to get a refund from PayPal  which along with “ the shipper” initially declined my claim regarding  the fake tracking number scam. It finally got resolved only after I was able to get the local FedEx office involved to help support my position - in writing . It then was glaringly obvious that I never received the shipment associated with the tracking number.


Be very wary of using PayPal - especially for overseas orders with China.

 

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Russtacc 

 


Chinese Web Sites or on Social Media ads easy to spot (once you know the below signs) so buyer beware.

Paypal would not be able to check every individual seller / merchant / company in over 200 countries worldwide that adds paypal to their website to accept payments.

So they give some buyer and some seller protection. However that protection can never be a 100% coverall so you need to read it so you can risk assess your transactions.

They do stop bad companies from using Paypal when enough claims start rolling in.
However as they are in China (mostly and selling tat) then its easy for them to just start over with a new name, so stopping them does not really do anything.

The best thing is to not buy from them in the first place, to recognise them -

1. No return address on the returns policy. The site will look as if its in your country (where they despatch goods from) but they will ask for returns to go back to China (returns depot) at a shipping cost often more than the item is worth.
2. No contact telephone number. if you click on contact the most you will get is webmail or an email address.
3. Rarely company address information.
4. Great pictures of items at bargain prices that turn out to be tat.
5. Fake reviews.
6. Google and you can often see previous company names as they change them once enough claims roll in and Paypal stop them using their services and start over.
7. Send fake tracking numbers to win item non receipt of item claims.





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