⚠️ New Scam? Refunded 3 Returns That Never Made It Back — “Returned to Sender” Trick
I just refunded three separate orders, thinking the returns were successful — turns out all of them were marked “Returned to Sender” after reaching my local post office and never actually got back to me.
Totally on me for not double-checking the tracking before issuing the refunds. My ADHD kicks in, and I rush to resolve things — lesson learned the hard way.
But now I’m wondering…
Is this a new scam tactic?
Buyers initiate a return, then the package gets returned by USPS before it’s delivered back — and they still get their money.
Be careful out there. Check your return tracking all the way to "Delivered" before you refund. Is anyone else seeing this pattern?
⚠️ New Scam? Refunded 3 Returns That Never Made It Back — “Returned to Sender” Trick
I just refunded three separate orders, thinking the returns were successful — turns out all of them were marked “Returned to Sender” after reaching my local post office and never actually got back to me.
Totally on me for not double-checking the tracking before issuing the refunds. My ADHD kicks in, and I rush to resolve things — lesson learned the hard way.
But now I’m wondering…
Is this a new scam tactic?
Buyers initiate a return, then the package gets returned by USPS before it’s delivered back — and they still get their money.
Be careful out there. Check your return tracking all the way to "Delivered" before you refund. Is anyone else seeing this pattern?
0 replies
Seller_FufI331lPupx8
Our return page was showing the exact same thing, take the tracking info over the the USPS website and track it there. There is accurate information on their website. All of ours show they actually delivered to us.
Seller_RTlQJrZ51M2XI
The new thing is they make an order as for $50.00 to $ 80.00. Soon as it is shipped the file a return, Amazon refunds them before it is returned. What they are returning is $1.00 air fresheners. Got 12 of these last weeK. Out over $600.00 Called Amazon and they do not give a hoot as it is not their money that is getting refunded. This is why you can not make any money selling on Amazon.
Seller_xQAqE6K0eSCBc
yes the buyer can walk into UPS store and scan their own packages as dropping off and most people then drop their box in the bin BUT some just turn right around and leave with the package thus creating the first scan and either releasing their replacement to ship or simply releasing their refund whichever they requested
Seller_xbNbb8BNtssv3
We see the same thing, Undelivered Return To Origin. But all packages were actually delivered to us.
Seller_fBZFdwrGdO0Cb
And the thing is that if you tell people to first return the product to get a refund Amazon will give the refund if they request it. Something has to be done . we get tired of loosing money !!
KJ_Amazon
Hello @Seller_SMosRIOdC1dWg @Seller_RTlQJrZ51M2XI and other sellers reporting the "Undelivered, returned to origin" event messaging in Manage Returns.
This issue has been reported by several sellers in the forums recently. It has been reported to our partner teams, and they are investigating the issue.
In the cases I reviewed, returns are being shipped and delivered as expected, and sellers report receiving the returned shipments. The carrier tracking information is accurate, and it is just an issue with the return status message.
If this is not the case for your returns, it may be eligible for a SAFE-T Claim. Please review the guide How to file a SAFE-T claim: steps and best practices for details. Please note that sellers are responsible for filing a claim directly with the carrier if a return is lost or damaged in transit: see Prepaid returns for seller-fulfilled orders for details.
KJ_Amazon
Need a moderator assistance for Returns being marked as "Undeliverable"
Anyone seeing an uptick in undeliverable addresses with the USPS?
Seller_ElNLVxVohDOit
And you're sure they didn't arrive? I've had a number of returns that the post office labeled "undelivered, returned to origin" in the tracking but they were in my PO Box. This seems to be a recent phenomenon.
Seller_XjolGGpui9INo
The scam that we get plagued with, "damaged material" request for replacement. Amazon sends the replacement order at zero cost before the Buyer has even scanned the return. 90% of request replacements in which the zero order shows up before the return is scanned is fraud. The Buyer never sends back the original item and/or sends an item not purchased from us.
Going forward we do not send a replacement until we are in receipt of the original order.
Seller_hLH0bAcCwYcos
Rule #1 for returns. Never ever issue the customer a refund until you have the product back, and in your hands.
You don't know if the customer returned the product or swapped it out with junk, and you don't know if the product is open and damaged or stripped of parts, and should have a restocking fee deducted.
Not only should you not issue a refund until you receive the item, but if Amazon Auto-refunds items via first scan, we all have to check those tracking numbers as well, and track the package actively. I had one return where Amazon refunded them, via 1st scan, and it was sent to my PO box, but I never received a pick up slip. Turns out tracking showed it had been received for 3 days at my USPS, but it was too big to fit in my box, and they never put a pick slip in there to notify me. They were about to ship it back to the customer! Whom Amazon had fully refunded at 1st scan! I would have lost 50 bucks. It pays to track every return.
Seller_FSJQSK8dDFpH2
I've seen this numerous times. I assume they are dropping the packages off in the lobby drop boxes with RTS written on them. They get refunded after the scan, and a day or 2 later they get the return delivered back to them again. I wasn't able to get any support.
