How does "different postcode" scam work on eBay?

ilikewatch

Hi,

I recently posted looking for advice after a buyer of a high value item asked me to post to a different postcode: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4804131

It was indeed a scam, and yesterday I received an email from eBay telling me that the buyers account had been compromised, not to ship the item and my FVF's would be refunded.

However, I still don't understand quite how this scam works - the only detail the "buyer" asked me to change was the postcode (from a PO5 postcode that was part of the confirmed address, to a PO4 postcode). The PO4 postcode actually matched the confirmed address, whereas the PO5 postcode didn't.

The only possible explanations I can come up with are:

• When eBay confirms an address they only use the postcode - therefore a hacker with access to a compromised account could change the rest of the address, leave the original postcode and it would still show as confirmed - then simply ask the seller to manually change the postcode.
• The account owner themselves was responsible and hoped that if delivered to a postcode other than the confirmed one, then they could report non-delivery and eBay would automatically find in their favour. (Wouldn't make much sense as it was the buyer who reported their compromised account to eBay).
• A hacker hoped to change the postcode so that the parcel was routed to a different area where a postman accomplice could intercept the parcel (doesn't explain why the "new" postcode matched the confirmed address though).

Also, the 2 postcodes are only a mile or so apart - I would guess that this suggests that if a third party was involved they probably have a "real life" connection to the owner of the account used to win the auction?

ballisticbrian

Another possibility is that if the person has a lifetime ban from eBay, they are trying to slightly alter the address they register on eBay and have found that they can do this by putting the wrong post code in. (I don't know, it's just a theory)

steveo3002

id guess the post office/postman would suss its wrong postcode and deliver to the true address

they claim it hasnt been delivered and your proof shows someone up the road got it instead

RFW

As far as I know Ebay don't verify addresses and postcodes (at least they never used to). Even if they did it doesn't mean much.
If an address was 1 High St, Anytown A1 2BC and it was sent to 1 High St, Anytown, A1 3BC, I can't see that it wouldn't get to the right address. If the buyer claimed non receipt and it was tracked I'm fairly sure that tracking to either address would cover you. The only difference would be is if there was an address with the same details at the other postcode.

We used to live on a long main road where there were three lots of houses with the same number, they were all in different towns, so mail used to go wrong all the time between the three. The postcodes were obviously different. We ended up being quite friendly with people at one address having to drop off and collect post there all the time. I guess it wouldn't have been to difficult to work out some kind of plot with them.

The chances are the buyer was an idiot trying something he'd been told by a bloke in a pub would get him lots of free goodies.

ilikewatch

ballisticbrian wrote: »

Another possibility is that if the person has a lifetime ban from eBay, they are trying to slightly alter the address they register on eBay and have found that they can do this by putting the wrong post code in. (I don't know, it's just a theory)

I hadn't thought of that, though if it was the case why would the buyer have reported it to eBay? - unless it was an unrelated case of buyers remorse.

ilikewatch

RFW wrote: »

As far as I know Ebay don't verify addresses and postcodes (at least they never used to). Even if they did it doesn't mean much.

But surely Paypal do in order to provide a "confirmed address" to ship to?

RFW wrote: »

If an address was 1 High St, Anytown A1 2BC and it was sent to 1 High St, Anytown, A1 3BC, I can't see that it wouldn't get to the right address. If the buyer claimed non receipt and it was tracked I'm fairly sure that tracking to either address would cover you.

I'm not so sure - a year or so ago I sent an ebay item to;

John Smith
Flat 1, Garden House,
123, City Road,
Birmingham
B1 1BB

I had misread the confirmed address and should have sent it to

John Smith
Flat 1, Garden Hall,
123, City Road,
Birmingham
B1 1BB

The buyer claimed non delivery and won the case, even though:

• All the other details were correct
• There was no house on City Road called "Garden House"
• Tracking showing that the parcel was signed for by "Esme Smith" (who the electoral register showed as living at Flat 1, 123, City Road with John Smith)

ballisticbrian

I hadn't thought of that, though if it was the case why would the buyer have reported it to eBay? - unless it was an unrelated case of buyers remorse.

Do you know for sure that the buyer contacted eBay?

ilikewatch

ballisticbrian wrote: »

Do you know for sure that the buyer contacted eBay?

I'm pretty sure - I received an email from the buyers account explaining that their account had been compromised, and asking me not to post the item - they stated that they would contact eBay and suggested that I do the same. An hour or so later, before I had contacted eBay myself I received 2 emails from ebay - one telling me not to post the item and the other stating that my FVF would be refunded.

ballisticbrian

OK, I see what's going on now. A hacked account can easily have the dispatch address changed on it. The hacker messaged you because he made a mistake when changing the address and wanted the item delivered to the post code he gave you. Then the real account owner started getting confirmation emails and realised the account had been hacked, and then contacted you.

earthstorm

steveo3002 wrote: »

id guess the post office/postman would suss its wrong postcode and deliver to the true address

they claim it hasnt been delivered and your proof shows someone up the road got it instead

it could be as ballisticbrian says.

If they have a lifetime ban on ebay and then set up another account using a different postcode, but eBay has sussed this out and taken down their new account.

Yes ebay will use things like Email Addresses/IPs/Postal Addresses/ Postcodes to double check so that suspended/banned users dont set up other accounts under different usernames.

Strapped

ilikewatch wrote: »

But surely Paypal do in order to provide a "confirmed address" to ship to?


I'm not so sure - a year or so ago I sent an ebay item to;

John Smith
Flat 1, Garden House,
123, City Road,
Birmingham
B1 1BB

I had misread the confirmed address and should have sent it to

John Smith
Flat 1, Garden Hall,
123, City Road,
Birmingham
B1 1BB

The buyer claimed non delivery and won the case, even though:

• All the other details were correct
• There was no house on City Road called "Garden House"
• Tracking showing that the parcel was signed for by "Esme Smith" (who the electoral register showed as living at Flat 1, 123, City Road with John Smith)

Did you report this blatant theft to the police?