Fake Tracking ID Scam
This site operates as merchant selling Bearpaw footwear. They are operating a scam called a “Fake Tracking ID Scam”.
They deliberately send packages to the wrong address, but in the same city, state and zip code.
How it works:
The scammer, posing as a legitimate online seller, manipulates the shipping label to trick the mail carrier into delivering the package to an incorrect address within the same ZIP code as the intended recipient. In my case, they just put the wrong street address, but it was a legitimate address in my zip code.
This exploits a flaw in many tracking systems, which often only show the ZIP code of delivery rather than the full address, as is case with the US Post Office.
Key aspects of this scam:
The package is usually empty or filled with worthless items.
Since the tracking number shows the package was "delivered" to the correct ZIP code, it makes it difficult for the buyer to dispute the charge or file a chargeback. In my case PayPal, only seeing the tracking information of the city, state, and zip, assumes the package was delivered to the correct address. When I challenged the transaction they ruled in favor of the merchant and did not refund my money. I’m still trying to make PayPal understand I did not get the package.
What is the scammer's motivation running this type of scam?
The primary goal is to create the illusion of a legitimate transaction while actually defrauding the buyer. By having a tracking number that shows delivery to the correct city, state and zip code, the scammer can:
1. Claim they fulfilled their obligation to ship the item.
2. Make it harder for the buyer to prove non-delivery.
3. Potentially avoid refund requests or chargebacks.
This makes for a long drawn-out effort to get your money back. Many people won't invest in the time and effort, since the amounts in question are not large enough to put forth such an effort. Something the scammer no doubt counts on. In my case, I've just began to go after them.