ESN question

[LTLFTCer]

This is a little story, so bear with me, probably not going to get help, but thought I would try.

I sold a BB Storm on eBay. It was confirmed delivered, yet the buyer said it was stolen and filed with PP and got his money back. I didn't insure stupidly cuaes I have sold a few things on there including phones and never had a problem. Since then I have been watching his acct, and he has bought some things for a storm (I'll leave it at that). Now, he is selling a Storm. Could be coincidence, could be my phone.

I had someone contact him and he would not give up the ESN (form a different state so tracing it back to me is impossible to raise red flag). In the listing he says it was activated to TMobile, I know reps in Verizon and ATT who have helped me to make sure this guy didn't activate it on their systems, is there any posibliity if I contacted Tmobile and gave them the ESN and guys name they would say YES or NO this is the phone and nothing else?

The police there won't help me cause they say it is a federal/USPS issue, but USPS won't help cause it isn't worth enough. Thoughts?

[se1000]

Originally Posted by LTLFTCer

This is a little story, so bear with me, probably not going to get help, but thought I would try.

I sold a BB Storm on eBay. It was confirmed delivered, yet the buyer said it was stolen and filed with PP and got his money back. I didn't insure stupidly cuaes I have sold a few things on there including phones and never had a problem. Since then I have been watching his acct, and he has bought some things for a storm (I'll leave it at that). Now, he is selling a Storm. Could be coincidence, could be my phone.

I had someone contact him and he would not give up the ESN (form a different state so tracing it back to me is impossible to raise red flag). In the listing he says it was activated to TMobile, I know reps in Verizon and ATT who have helped me to make sure this guy didn't activate it on their systems, is there any posibliity if I contacted Tmobile and gave them the ESN and guys name they would say YES or NO this is the phone and nothing else?

The police there won't help me cause they say it is a federal/USPS issue, but USPS won't help cause it isn't worth enough. Thoughts?

GSM carriers don't use ESN so thier networks wouldn't see it. I don't think T-Mobile blacklists IMEI either.

[LTLFTCer]

Originally Posted by se1000

GSM carriers don't use ESN so thier networks wouldn't see it. I don't think T-Mobile blacklists IMEI either.

Thanks, I know GSM uses SIM, but according to the ATT emp. they can see if the particular phone was activated AFAIK. I am not looking for a blacklist, only if the phone was activated as this guy comminted mail fraud.

[se1000]

There are 2 numbers, an IMEI for the phone and a SIM number for the SIM card.

[Myveggies]

No, you need to get back at paypal on this. If they ok'd a claim for a claim of "item received not as described" then they should make the buyer ship back the iteam with "proof of delivery" before they issue him a refund.

If he filed a "item not received" claim, then there is no way paypal would refund his money because you have trackable proof of delivery.

....Unless, since you probably sold the phone for more than $250, you had to request "signature confirmation" instead of just regular "delivery confirmation"... Professional cons knows this loophole, they can claim they never received the item even though it shows "delivered", you were supposed to get a signature for items more than $250.

[LTLFTCer]

Well, it has been a few weeks. PP did refund his money without any evidence from him and even with my detailed talks with PP. (item not received) The phone sold for less than 250, and I have learned my lesson on eBay and PP for sure.

I have been diligent on this cause i know this guy will make a mistake and I am hoping to get law enforcement and federal USPS help on this based on the principle of the whole thing.

[NorrisCell]

Originally Posted by Myveggies

No, you need to get back at paypal on this. If they ok'd a claim for a claim of "item received not as described" then they should make the buyer ship back the iteam with "proof of delivery" before they issue him a refund.

If he filed a "item not received" claim, then there is no way paypal would refund his money because you have trackable proof of delivery.

100% correct here. There must be more to the chargeback, because the two scenarios are covered here.

[NorrisCell]

Originally Posted by LTLFTCer

Thanks, I know GSM uses SIM, but according to the ATT emp. they can see if the particular phone was activated AFAIK. I am not looking for a blacklist, only if the phone was activated as this guy comminted mail fraud.

With respect to T-Mobile, we can run an IMEI though a reverse lookup which will show any phone numbers that IMEI was used with, and for how long. However, only higher level reps have access to this, as they took it away from the store level. A rep that has access cannot let you know anything about other users of the IMEI, because that would involve releasing personal info to someone not authorized on the bill.

[LTLFTCer]

Originally Posted by NorrisCell

With respect to T-Mobile, we can run an IMEI though a reverse lookup which will show any phone numbers that IMEI was used with, and for how long. However, only higher level reps have access to this, as they took it away from the store level. A rep that has access cannot let you know anything about other users of the IMEI, because that would involve releasing personal info to someone not authorized on the bill.

Thanks, that is the answer I needed (so even if the phone was reported stolen they would not give a yes or no answer as to whether it is the phone or not and nothing else?). As for the PP issue, I got screwed by PP (and the buyer). I contacted PP when I first got the PP claim and did everything they asked me to do. They didn't even wait for any outside investigation by USPS nor did they take a look at the facts I sent them about delivery confirmation and such. 2 days after the claim was filed, they emailed me stating they ruled in his favor and took the money from me. I got shafted and that is why I am continuing the investigation myself with the help of some phone company reps.

[Myveggies]

Originally Posted by LTLFTCer

Well, it has been a few weeks. PP did refund his money without any evidence from him and even with my detailed talks with PP. (item not received) The phone sold for less than 250, and I have learned my lesson on eBay and PP for sure.

I have been diligent on this cause i know this guy will make a mistake and I am hoping to get law enforcement and federal USPS help on this based on the principle of the whole thing.

If this is the case then I don't see ANY reason why paypal would honor the buyer's claim. I assume you have a credit card that's linked to your paypal account and PP charged that card in reverse? Then you need to call you CC and file a chargeback with them IMMEDIATELY.

The only thing I can think of is that you "did not" mail the phone to the buyer's "confirmed address on paypal"? Either you mailed to his/her ebay address instead of paypal address or his paypal address was "unconfirmed"?

[LTLFTCer]

Originally Posted by Myveggies

If this is the case then I don't see ANY reason why paypal would honor the buyer's claim. I assume you have a credit card that's linked to your paypal account and PP charged that card in reverse? Then you need to call you CC and file a chargeback with them IMMEDIATELY.

The only thing I can think of is that you "did not" mail the phone to the buyer's "confirmed address on paypal"? Either you mailed to his/her ebay address instead of paypal address or his paypal address was "unconfirmed"?

Well, this isn't the way I wanted the thread to go. But I will say this, PP is linked to my savings, regardless, they took the money out of the balance. Phone was paid for and shipped the next day with delivery confirmation and nothing else. Phone arrived according to USPS website 3 days later. according to the times on the web, claim was rendered to PP 7 hours after the delivery confimation was scanned.

Buyer said box was open and phone was missing, but USPS still delivered and there was no "damaged box" note placed by USPS. I let Postal inspectors and police know, both did nothing. Called PP and told them my side and they said everything sounded fine. No matter as 2 days later they gave him his money back. Was sent to confirmed and verifed PP address.

Well, there is more to this story, but not right now. I got the answer I needed and hopefully things turn out.