Paypal is a payment middleman, nothing more. Once the seller proves shipment happened and was delivered, Paypal stops right there. You lose under this system. The key point is a basic one: Paypal does NOT do anything to verify what is sent to them. So this allows shippers to send NO packages--but they CLAIM they sent the package, and they have "real" tracking numbers to prove it. What the scammers do is look online and find another shipment going to a location near you (same ZIP code, for example). They copy that tracking number to Paypal to get paid. The carriers do NOT provide info *from the carriers' systems* that identify the *actual* name + address to which the tracking number of that package was sent and delivered. The shipper puts the duplicate tracking number into the Paypal system--and Paypal presumes the address is *yours* (or whoever bought something from that Paypal *seller*). The way to get Paypal to pay attention is to document fraud by the seller. THAT gets Paypal's attention. So that is what you have to prove. You have the tracking number from USPS. Go to your local post office, show them the tracking number, and ask them if this was actually addressed to you AND if was it delivered *to you* (your address). If they say "not your package", GET THAT IN WRITING FROM USPS. Ask for the real delivery info. Scan that letter and then contact Paypal via the chat function on their web site. Tell them the tracking number submitted by the shipper was not sent or delivered to you. The seller knowingly committed fraud. Tell them you have a letter from USPS. You can send it to them documenting fraud by the shipper. Paypal will then contact the shipper, but the number submitted was sent in by the shipper (fake)--so the shipper will quickly give up once they realize the USPS gave out the real delivery info.
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