Item not received. Fake tracking by seller.

[UpNorth901]

Hi. I ordered a product from a seller through a third party website. Paid using PayPal credit at checkout. Something didn't sit right and I later found out the seller was a scammer and pretty well documented on various reddit forums. I immediately flagged this with PayPal and a case was opened. Since then, the seller has provided tracking information saying that the package was delivered. I contacted the courier immediately who confirmed that the tracking number was legitimate but that it was not delivered to my address. It was delivered to my town but nowhere near my address. Not only that, but the weight of the package was substantially different from what would be expected. They won't tell me what address the package was sent to but have provided me written proof that the package was not addressed/delivered to me. I have subsequently forwarded all information on to PayPal. Customer services have not been overly helpful and essentially pass me off saying the case is in review. What is the likelihood I am going to get my money back here? I feel ashamed to have fallen for this and I am concerned that PayPal take the sellers side here even though I have written proof that I didn't receive anything. Thanks.

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@UpNorth901 

You have done all you can, this is what I advise and what you have done already...good luck.

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?