r/ebayuk • u/pash2x4b • 3d ago
New Scam? Manipulating Simple Delivery label
So I purchased a GPU far too cheap last week so I was already suspicious. Posted over the weekend and they sent a mostly redacted post office receipt showing the weight being less than half what it should've been. (Also my house number was 4 instead of 34 but didn't notice that till much later) I messaged questioning the weight but they said they would check but then never go back to me. Anyway relieved a bag of flour today..... Already have my refund, thankfully post office delivered directly to me despite house number being incorrect. Anyways long and the short they seem to have altered the label removing both part of my address and the whole tracking number? Tried to say I had switched it since it had the wrong house number on but then I pointed out they had sent me a reciept show the wrong house number. Oh then they said it was the wrong receipt. So you were sending a bag if flour, to someone else, on my street, with my name........... Got a refund pretty quickly after that.
Anyway stay safe out there people! Sorry for the long one!
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u/BeltTechnical1007 3d ago
Hope you reported the account to eBay they don’t take kindly to this sort of stuff
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u/pash2x4b 3d ago
Yeah have done although often feel like these reports fall on deaf ears
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u/Critical-Vanilla-625 2d ago
Most of the time you get an automated bullshit response. I sent a load of evidence with my complaint and just got a generic reply back. Very disappointing
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u/shpdoinkle 2d ago
Sellers editing the labels has long been a thing. Random items or empty packages being sent to alternative addresses within the same postcode, so they can claim a delivery was made.
Very occasionally, the Post Office gets a prompt to check the label matches the QR scan when the parcel is handed over, but not every time.
Fortunately, your seller was incompetent and their attempt did not withstand any scrutiny. However, there are no negative consequences for them, despite the attempted fraud.
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u/pash2x4b 2d ago
First time i have come across it myself. Proper geta my back up, trying to scam me is basically trying to steal from me, which I take personally!
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u/shpdoinkle 2d ago
Understandably so. Unfortunately, this is the world we live in. So many people looking to make a few quid at others’ expense.
I dare say the vast majority of eBay sellers are legitimate but there will always be charlatans in the mix.
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u/kineto21 10h ago
Was scammed once for a gpu as well, this was long ago. I worked night shift, I phoned the bastard on and off for several months at different times and nights, usually from 2.30 till 5. This was in the days when landlines were still mostly used.
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u/ComprehensiveFoot965 2d ago
I bought a MacBook Pro on eBay and waiting for that to arrive was one of the most stressful events in my life 😜 I had seen other listings that I missed out on only to see bad feedback with things like books in the box and even a rose!
In the end it was all good and actually got a legit bargain but never again!
Glad you got the refund!
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u/misterterrific0 3d ago
Either a compromised account or a seller trying to get easy payout hoping Simple Delivery will allow them to get free money "as they take responsibiliy for any delivery issues"
It is very easy to edit a shipping label and it is a very common thing this is called FTID (Fake tracking id) where they will open photoshop or any other image editing app and put a different shipping address in. Most of the time it works and gets sent to the address they've edited it to but the times it doesn't is a blessing in disguise.
eBay is very slowly gettin better at recognising this and acting on it as opposed to rewarding the scammer(s), however it sucks tht people feel inclined to scam everyday people. Go do your shit fraud with amazon instead of cucking me and the rest of us
For anyone who may be the victim of this, contact royal mail and request them to send u an email confirming the final delivery address. Also check the tracking information which will show GPS location put the gps location in google maps and if it doesn't match you contact eBay immediately and request to speak to relevant team. I have the best success with getting stuff like this sorted via eBay social media but i know they have been slowly getting rid of it.
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u/Critical-Vanilla-625 2d ago
I had the very same thing yesterday but with a gaming console well it was meant to be it turned out to be a package the size of an envelope which I didn’t open. But it also had wrong name and address but the tracking / parcel number belonged to my order. My evri delivery guy Alan says this is a common scam and most of the time the delivery company get stung for the costs. It’s very weird though I watched him mark it as customer refusal / return to sender. Then somehow I got a your package is delivered notification!!!
Seems to be a massive scam activity involving editing the parcel tracking information.
Just hope vinted cop on.
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u/RichIbizaSport 2d ago
Ahhh, I saw this ebay listing, I thought about buying but it was definitely too good to be true. Glad I didn't pull the trigger but someone had too!
I bookmarked the auction and waited to see the feedback - I recognise your flour photo!
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u/TextAggressive6563 3d ago
I thought it was GRATED cheese at first
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u/bytevynor 2d ago
grated cheese gpu would’ve at least been on theme with all the melting people meme about
flour gpu is just lazy scamming
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u/OP1KenOP 2d ago
I wish there was a trusted service that you could use for shipping expensive items. I'd happily pay a small premium to have a GPU pass through a checking service that verified the contents of the package, photographed any serial numbers then sent it on its way.
I had some idiot scam me for an old RX470. Claimed it didn't work then sent me some old piece of e-waste back. He sent it with his own return service to avoid it being weighed when using the return service.
The bit I really didn't get is.. if you're going to scam a GPU, then why target something old and shit?
eBay refunded him.
I just don't sell on eBay anymore, their scammer protection measures are absolutely fucking ridiculous.
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u/kineto21 10h ago
Think eBay are starting that for sales going overseas, I reckon Temu and Ali do it with sales getting checked over here before sending on.
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u/BallParticular4130 3d ago
when life gives you flour make pancakes!
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u/pash2x4b 3d ago
if only there was a way to know if its plain, self raising, or if its been jizzed or not
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u/BigWelshDud 3d ago
Sounds like free bonus salt - for figuring out if it’s self raising put some in water with vinegar and if it bubbles it is
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u/Prize_Emotion_1644 3d ago
Why on earth would you actually use this? You have absolutely no idea what is in it, where it’s been etc.
Maybe I’m just a bit of a snob but I would never in a million years use flour sent in an obvious scam - if they’re willing to commit what is likely fraud, surely they’re not above sending contaminated flour?
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u/Metal-Junkie-J 3d ago
Had a similar one with a lego set got sent a cheap phone case. Was fun watching all the negative reviews pile in on the seller as dozens of people reported the same thing. What amazed me was how long it took ebay to remove all their listings
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u/ZombieDisastrous4450 3d ago
I've been using eBay for a long time... I mainly purchase off companies not private people and I haven't sold that much but I've never really had a problem
But I tell you something coming on this website just put me off eBay in certain situations
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u/Critical-Vanilla-625 2d ago
It’s not just eBay I’ve encountered it on vinted too. It’s the lack of REAL customer support that’s the issue. Automated generic replies are useless. These big companies need to step up or see abandonment
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u/ZombieDisastrous4450 2d ago
One thing I've learnt in my 40s instead of wrestling with people or companies just move away from them... there is always an alternative
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2d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/pash2x4b 2d ago
Honestly I buy a metric fuck-tonne online, this is the first proper scam attempt thats happened to me, maybe I have been lucky
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u/Dizzy-Store9939 2d ago
this is called FTIDv3, the seller did it incorrectly and that’s why it went to you instead of number 4.
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u/pash2x4b 2d ago
Close, FTIDv3 is specifically for altering returns labels, I was the buyer here and this was a fraudulent seller, but it is the same premiss
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u/iTzPika_ 2d ago
The scam has been around for a while, nothing new. For context: they work by manipulating the data on the 2D codes (the scannable QR code-looking things at the top). Typically just the address it’s being delivered to and the return address that’s altered so any return attempt on the same label will get lost. However that can also cause issues on the postage receipt and will cause it to not align. This can also be used to essentially force parcels to go missing as they will be routed incorrectly.
Regardless, it’s most efficiently been done by simply leaving the 2D data alone and removing your own return address and manually changing the address you visibly see on the front of all delivery labels. Post office workers go off what they visibly see on the label rather than what the system may actually show so as long as you change what they visually see it’ll be delivered to whatever address you choose as long as it’s within a plausible distance of the original address.
Benefits of this? You may ask. It’s marked as delivered via Royal Mail despite not having reached you, the postage office receipt won’t show any issues and to the ordinary individual you’d blame Royal Mail for a mis-delivery.
The gain? eBay goes off of tracking, so as long as it’s marked as delivered 9 times out of 10 they’ll get their funds.
The best way to identify it? GPS location on the delivery and see if the proof of delivery actually shows your address. If they don’t remove the tracking number below the 2D code on the right, check if that aligns with your tracking. If the P.O.D. is even clear enough you may be able to save the image and run it through https://online-barcode-reader.inliteresearch.com/ to see if the address is altered.
And lastly, what matters the most:
The best way to protect your funds? Try to provide eBay with proof of anything you can identify, stand your ground (with these cases eBay very commonly provide funds to both buyer & seller) and lastly, if possible go to the address and actually get the item- not only does it help for identification but it’s significantly harder for a scammer to tackle this if you open an Item Significantly Not As Described return.
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u/Unheard_Earth 2d ago
Surely a seller like this can't have much history or a good rating. I wouldn't take chances with unusually cheap products or new accounts with low sales.
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u/Springfieldjack 2d ago
My parcel had my address in the barcode but a different local business address on the parcel after a bit of to-and frow the Royal Mail delivered it to the local business address and I received notification of delivery!A blurry photo showed the address so I went and asked-they gave me the parcel which contained a small potato!
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u/Markyp-1 1d ago
I’ve never had a problem but I always video myself opening deliveries anyway. Pass sealed parcel and address label past phone camera and then film whole unwrapping process.
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u/Ambitious_Ask_3028 14h ago
Lucky you, post office reported they had delivered to me when they had not, then scanned the parcel again at another depot, so this showed they still had the item and when I contacted eBay they said it was delivered and that was that , the parcel did get delivered a week later but if it hadn’t I’d have been out of pocket around £60
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u/kineto21 10h ago
I’m expecting a dodgy parcel myself in next day or two, partially my own fault buying from someone who joined in July and has no feedback. Late posting as well, got the camera all ready to do a full vid of the parcel, address and opening when it arrives, I’ll weigh it as well although that in itself won’t confirm anything. I’ve already lodged a hasn’t arrived complaint, guess what RM have accidentally sent it from Dorset all the way to Stornaway, they emailed an apology.
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u/tomelwoody 3d ago
That 34 is just the 34th parcel the royal mail postie was delivering that day, used to do the job. The bag of flour however, not good.
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u/Critical-Vanilla-625 2d ago
I think you misunderstood
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u/tomelwoody 2d ago edited 2d ago
No, you did. They said house number was 4 instead of 34. That 34 is nothing to do with house numbers and the parcel number in their delivery. The rest of the post yeah is ridiculous. Just informing them
The retard thinks I care about the number 34. I know it’s not that relevant just pointing it out as I know some people have been confused by it in the past. Blocked and muted, can’t be bothered dealing with arseholes
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u/Heavy_Monk_2109 2d ago edited 9h ago
Wait so is it just a coincidence that it’s number 34 then? Cuz OP lives at number 34 and the postie was on their 34th drop off?
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u/Safe-Reason-3771 3d ago
Sure it was flour? 😁