Sold iPhone 5 on eBay, possible scam?

[nox5]

Several hours on the phone over a period of a month or so, had to get a Detective involved, but we ended up putting a kink in a crime ring that was hacking accounts and using people's eBay & PayPal accounts to purchase Gift Cards and high end electronics. Tracked the guy to Canada, not sure where it went after that, but law enforcement was hot on his tail last I heard...

I wonder if this is same guy that bought few expensive cell phone from me in Toronto (different addresses but in Scarborough area) over 1 year period. Every time it was under a new eBay account with just 2-3 past feedback. He always picked them up at Post Office sign for them and when charge was disputed Paypal had to cover all charges. So i did not care because i was making good money and Paypal seller protection was paying for it.

 

[AFDoc]

False. PayPal canon EVER deduct money from any account without YOU directly authorizing them to.

They'll just take your paypal account negative and put you into collections...

I've been in the negative several times and for hundreds of $$$.

This. I love when people spread FUD.

I would love to see a company try and take money out of an account without authorization.... that would be a nice fat payday s/p lawsuit.

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Nope. I HAVE left my account negative. I've got one that is $60 negative since 5 years ago too.
If you have no firsthand experience, then please sit down.
EDIT: Think about it bro...If paypal could force you to pay a debt, so could all the CC companies out there as well...
Only a judgement can get to your bank account without your authorization.

This AGAIN.

Do what? I hope people arent still trying to push this nonsense that paypal can go into your account and take money that they think you owe them.
Once your money clears your bank legit, they cannot do anything but pester you.
Taking money from your PAYPAL account is legal...Thats why I ALWAYS pull the money the second that its in there. Scammed or not, I HAVE to have that money while I work out WTH paypal and the buyer are up to.
If I get stuck owing paypal hundreds $$$, oh well. I close my account and start new. Bills come before paypal and scammers.

This too. I've never had an issue BUT never keep money in my PP account. It's either transferred to my bank account right away OR I buy something I need with my PP credit card and earn cash back at the same time.

 

[PNutts]

I sold my iPhone 5 on eBay, buyer was from Russia. I know red flag, but they paid immediately, so I rolled with it.

Is this your phone? https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1658153/

 

[scotrinaf]

I wonder if this is same guy that bought few expensive cell phone from me in Toronto (different addresses but in Scarborough area) over 1 year period. Every time it was under a new eBay account with just 2-3 past feedback. He always picked them up at Post Office sign for them and when charge was disputed Paypal had to cover all charges. So i did not care because i was making good money and Paypal seller protection was paying for it.

Hard to say, people in Canada know that the US has a hard time getting cooperation from the Canadian authorities, so they don't worry much about whether or not they'll get caught... We ended up getting a hold of the guys cell phone number and I understand the police in the US were able to track him through that, but I don't know if he was ever arrested or not, at least I cut off his supplier in the US.

 

[airflite40]

Is this your phone? https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1658153/

I wish I wasn't smart enough to put a password on it before I sent it out. I really wish I would have. No new updates from me, USPS has been silent and no one has called me. I will be calling them today.

 

[mappyman]

People might as well skip sending phones / iPads to Russia and just send them empty boxes.

Save time for the customs officials

 

[Mrg02d]

People might as well skip sending phones / iPads to Russia and just send them empty boxes.

Save time for the customs officials

LOL that would quite a funny prank...

 

[PNutts]

I wish I wasn't smart enough to put a password on it before I sent it out. I really wish I would have. No new updates from me, USPS has been silent and no one has called me. I will be calling them today.

Thanks for taking my comment in a good way. After posting I thought it might be too soon. I hope it works out for you.

 

[airflite40]

Finally got an update.

The phone was delivered on 10/30 and Paypal is contacting the buyer for confirmation.

A word of advice to others:

According to USPS, priority mail international packages are not trackable nor carry insurance so DO NOT SEND VIA PRIORITY MAIL
Only use express or registered first class.

Russia is not obligated to scan priority mail packages, but I was able to track the package via trackitonline.ru an independent tracking site.

 

[Applejuiced]

Good news man.
Hope you get your money.

 

[airflite40]

Another update:

The package was delivered on 10/30 but the buyer is claiming that only a "stone" was inside the box. Did not provide any proof of this nor did they care, as they got their money back.

I have the IMEI number of the phone, but no way to track it in Russia. It's gone.

After many calls to PayPal, I finally contacted someone in their office of Executive Escalations, he reviewed the case and all of my calls to PayPal (including one where they put me on hold for 1.5 hours!) and they decided to give me the money back to make this situation right.

I know that I got lucky and this isn't what usually happens, but I learned a really good lesson about selling on eBay and shipping via USPS.

 

[Ramio]

Another update:

The package was delivered on 10/30 but the buyer is claiming that only a "stone" was inside the box. Did not provide any proof of this nor did they care, as they got their money back.

I have the IMEI number of the phone, but no way to track it in Russia. It's gone.

After many calls to PayPal, I finally contacted someone in their office of Executive Escalations, he reviewed the case and all of my calls to PayPal (including one where they put me on hold for 1.5 hours!) and they decided to give me the money back to make this situation right.

I know that I got lucky and this isn't what usually happens, but I learned a really good lesson about selling on eBay and shipping via USPS.

Glad you got your money back. NEVER ship to Russia again. Just sell in the US from now on. Good luck.