Am I Being Scammed on eBay?

slosh on 27/11/2015 - 22:59
Last edited 27/11/2015 - 23:21

I listed my EA Access 12 month Code on Ebay and within a few hours it was sold for $32 (RRP is $39.99). I received payment instantly and decided to check if the buyer was legit. Upon looking at the address, it's listed as the exact same address (same number etc) as the Featherdale Wildlife Park in NSW. I also checked his feedback and he is listed as a new seller (joined less then 30 days ago) and is based in the United States; Yet he listed having an Australian address. He also has 17 positive feedback, however this is feedback as a buyer. I need your advice on my situation please, what should I do? What are your thoughts? Thanks

General Discussion

Related Stores

eBay Australia
eBay Australia
Marketplace

Comments

  • supnigs super skids on 27/11/2015 - 23:02

    Pretty sure codes are not PayPal protected. Meaning they cannot request a refund or dispute them. You could look that up.

    • [Deactivated] on 27/11/2015 - 23:49
      +3

      From 1 July 2015, intangibles are no longer excluded in PayPal's Buyer Protection Policy. They are still excluded in the Seller Protection Policy - so good for buyers, not so good for sellers.

      However, eBay "does not allow the sale of digital goods on its website.". So, if you want to sell game keys or similar, you write it on a bit of paper and post it to the verified address instead of emailing it to the buyer.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/11/2015 - 23:22
    +2

    Have you thought about contacting eBay with your concerns?

    http://ocsnext.ebay.com.au/ocs/cusr?&query=1491 and choose the "email us" option at the bottom of the page, then mention it's a US user with an unlikely Australian address.

  • Cheeper on 27/11/2015 - 23:45

    Contact ebay and say you suspect a hacked account or fraud.

  • unicorn888 on 28/11/2015 - 00:03

    Yes, better to cancel.
    I got scammed when I sold iTunes card.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/11/2015 - 00:04
    +2

    Can't imagine eBay helping much. They'll just quote their policies, say you offered an auction, someone bought, so if you don't supply, they can claim against you. Fob you off in other words.

    First, I'd put your findings to, and ask the seller what their deal is. Seems strange they would try and use an address like that, when they could have chosen any one of millions of real street addresses. Especially when what you're describing (I don't know what an EA code is, but it sounds like they don't even need an address to receive it). If they come back with poor english, then it's a scam.

    Second, I'd check what dtnvong said. Although, I don't see how that protects you 100% if the Paypal account is stolen. Thief gets the code - real paypal account owner gets their money back - you get zip?

  • Charity on 28/11/2015 - 04:04

    likely.

  • Mumbles on 28/11/2015 - 06:02
    +1

    I would try reporting the buyer as a scammer. Force eBay to investigate his eBay account. After eBay completes their investigation and the buyer hasn't answered eBay's address enquiries then its up to eBay.

    Since it was the winning bid at auction perhaps eBay will cancel the scammers bid and select the next highest bid.

    I'm not sure what eBay would do as I've never sold anything with them before.

  • onetwothreefour on 28/11/2015 - 06:42
    +1

    Sorry I don't understand, if they have paid you then what is the problem?

    • [Deactivated] on 28/11/2015 - 08:10

      same thought here

    • chumlee on 28/11/2015 - 08:14

      Guessing that buyer will lodge a dispute with eBay saying they never received goods??

      • onetwothreefour on 28/11/2015 - 08:28

        If it's just a code can't you send it by ebay message?

    • [Deactivated] on 28/11/2015 - 09:17
      +1

      Because when the credit-card/bank account/PayPal-account owner disputes the charge, PayPal will reverse the transaction.

      • onetwothreefour on 28/11/2015 - 09:52

        Even if you can prove you have supplied the code?

        • [Deactivated] on 28/11/2015 - 11:38
          +1

          As it is against eBay's rules to sell digitally-fulfilled goods, they won't help sort the problem out.
          PayPal doesn't protect sellers for intangible items, so they aren't going to help.
          And if the funds are stolen (or at least the bank or PayPal believe they are) then OP doesn't get to keep the money. Even if you take the money out of PayPal and close your account, your agreement with PayPal means you'll owe them money and they'll just hand it over to debt collectors.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join