Registered post delivered to someone else

[beanzo79]

Hey guys

Thought it worthwhile sharing this story, the latest in what I see on these forums is a long line of mistakes made by various postal agencies here and abroad.

Note that AP are currently investigating my claim, and I await the outcome of that investigation before deciding my next move, whether it be the ombudsman, a solicitor and/or VCAT.

I purchased an expensive camera ($2700) from a seller before Christmas (12th December). I requested that the seller provide me with insurance and registered post for the item.

Since that time, the item has been missing in action- the seller has not responded to my emails and I opened a dispute with Paypal. Paypal investigated, and found in the seller's favour because she was able to provide them with a tracking number that shows the item was delivered. I had been requesting this information from the seller for some time however she would only supply it to Paypal. Paypal provided me with the tracking information from the seller, and I was able to confirm through the Australia Post website the the item was indeed delivered.

Headed down to the AP outlet to check that the item was there as I had not received a note in the mailbox- customer service rep informed me that the item had been delivered and was signed for by someone called "M Harris'. Clearly not me! This confused both the AP customer servioce rep and me when I showed her my drivers licence (with signature) that is not in the name of M Harris.

At this point, AP have not stated where the item was delivered, why it was delivered to and signed for by someone who is not me, nor can they tell me of the seller had paid for the insurance that I requested (and paid extra for) during the transaction.

So far I have learnt:

1- Buyer protection from paypal only works if they are able to claim to refund from the buyer- in this case, because they can see the item was delivered to my suburb, they are satisfied that the seller is not at fault (regardless of whether she has put the correct address on the parcel, or if she paid for the insurance that I requested) and regardless of whether I have actually received the item. In effect is it not buyer protection at all

2- that someone with a different name is able to sign for post that is registered to someone else

3- that AP will not provide me with a copy of the signature for 'M Harris' that they have on file- they requested (and I provided) a copy of my signature, I assume so they can compare the handwriting to establish that it is not mine

4- that AP cannot, or are unwilling to, provide me with insurance details for the item that was sent.

I eagerly await the result of the AP investigation and will keep people informed of the outcome. Hopefully there are some leassons we can all learn out of this!

[tstore]

The of chance the number registered ends up being a business mobile, this might open up a can of worms. Also the number might be listed in a phone directory. The more information, the better in a civil court matter, at least I would think

If you google my mobile for instance, it shows up on Google as a contact number for where I work.

[blakesus]

I'm surprised that people are still implicating this M Harris person in all of this.

Seems very obvious to me, the seller has scammed OP with the knowledge of how PP disputes work. Send something to a buyer in the same postcode randomly plucked out of the White Pages and bingo, proof of shipment as far as PP is concerned. Not that PP is to blame, their policy is in line with Australian contract law, as well it should be with the amount they would spend on lawyers.

The only thing that confuses me is that registered post shows on the tracking but OP has intimated that PP's reason for rejecting the claim was because of a postcode on a receipt (which a large letter wouldn't have). So I reckon 1 of 3 things has happened.

1. Paypal have erred in accepting the Reg Post number alone as proof without the Red Post receipt..

2. Scammer has forged the Reg Post receipt.

3. Scammer has stuck an old sticker on the parcel themselves and have lodged it as per normal, with postcode printed on receipt. I can't honestly say whether this is still permitted by AP but I know my local still allows it.

Two things are certain, there was never a camera posted to anyone and whatever it was that was posted was not addressed to OP. I bet M Harris is just as confused as anyone else as to why they received a random, and undoubtedly worthless package.

Keep AP and PP in the loop of course but go to the police ASAP. Interesting to note there is a seller by the same name, minus the underscore, who was previously registered in Australia but is now NARU. Some of their buyers/sellers are still active, might be worth emailing them on the off chance they have any info but I dare say it's unlikely since the last activity was in 2007. Still it couldn't hurt.

[amber-eyed-girl]

I agree with imastawka, who would be likely to sign their own name if intending to defraud...

there's a quote in Dickens about a Mrs Harris:

Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens: Summary Chapter 49
www.online-literature.com › Charles Dickens › Martin Chuzzlewit

"Betsy Prigg finally says that there is no such person as Mrs. Harris."

Not being flippant about this serious situation, just that M Harris is a known fake name.

So any real M Harris may be a coincidence until AP can state where it went.

Doesn't mean it is, just likely to be.

This does have scam all over it, please keep AP claims in your sights as the seller may claim and then have your money and APs, and asking Paypal to check the tracking number r.e. Letter vs. parcel is a very good idea.

[blakesus]

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@tstore wrote:
The of chance the number registered ends up being a business mobile, this might open up a can of worms. Also the number might be listed in a phone directory. The more information, the better in a civil court matter, at least I would think

If you google my mobile for instance, it shows up on Google as a contact number for where I work.

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No chance in the world that this is a civil matter, it is as criminal as it gets. Just a thought OP, may be worthwhile leaving a negative now, I have a feeling the underbidders will have received second chance offers and if they see your neg it may bring them forward and add weight to any police investigation.

[*crikey*mate*]

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@tstore wrote:
The of chance the number registered ends up being a business mobile, this might open up a can of worms. Also the number might be listed in a phone directory. The more information, the better in a civil court matter, at least I would think

If you google my mobile for instance, it shows up on Google as a contact number for where I work.

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I just googled someone's landline who I know is private number and it gave me their name and address and even a link to google map so I could check out their house. oh and it told me who their service providor was.

I then put my public landline phone number into it, and apparently I am someone called Fifi who works at a beauty parlour.... My mobile number, which I have had for at least 6 years showed nothing..... go figure...

[beanzo79]

tstore- have done that- tried every avenue I knew to turn something up, but no avail. I will send you a PM, thanks

[beanzo79]

Hey Blakesus- I believe Paypal only have access to the tracking information- that is the same thing as I have, which shows AP have delivered 'registered post' to Lilydale. I don't believe the seller provided them with a receipt of any description.

Will check out that other seller- very good idea, thanks.

Have been thinking of going to the police- i guess my only concern there is that Paypal may see that as an excuse not to deal with my appeal in a satisfactory manner............

[tstore]

Thanks OP

First bit of info. The mobile prefix is a Vodafone number. Wondering whether this might help in any way, but it is something. Gut feeling says it is a Vodafone prepaid sim this person purchased just to get registered to sell a high value item. Does anyone know if you sell electronics or cameras specifically, whether eBay requires you to go through phone verification first?

Previous poster finding an NARU account with almost similar username = alarm bells. Any negatives on that account to show why it was NARU'd?

[beanzo79]

Thanks Blakesus and tstore.

The NARU seller has no negative feedback- but will attempt to contact some of the previous buyers just in case.

[tstore]

More info based on OPs private message

I am pretty sure this person is Filipino. Both email addresses provided had Filipino words in them. The second email (rough translation) means 'hold up!' when someone tries to mug you on the streets - coincidence???

The first email provided provided rough translation 'cut of **bleep**' (not making this up).