$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
eBay empty box shipment scam
A seller ships an empty box or a box filled with worthless items to generate a valid tracking number, then disputes any buyer complaint by pointing to the delivered tracking confirmation.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetseBay buyers
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$120
median reported loss
Typical range$24 – $1.2K
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
A scammer lists a high-value item at an attractive price and ships an empty box or one filled with junk.
2
The valid tracking number shows the package was delivered, which the seller uses to fight any buyer dispute.
3
If the buyer cannot prove the box was empty upon receipt, they may lose the eBay dispute.
What to do first
Record a video when opening packages from unknown sellers as proof of what was received.
Related terms
eBay box of bricks scamempty package eBayeBay shipping weight scamOnline shopping scamseBaySurgingeBay buyersElectronics shoppersBargain huntersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaeBay box of bricks scamempty package eBay
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
James, 35, a ebay buyers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using eBay. A scammer lists a high-value item at an attractive price and ships an empty box or one filled with junk.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The valid tracking number shows the package was delivered, which the seller uses to fight any buyer dispute.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: If the buyer cannot prove the box was empty upon receipt, they may lose the eBay dispute.
The outcome
James realized something was wrong when seller has very few reviews or recently created account selling high-value items. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Record a video when opening packages from unknown sellers as proof of what was received. James's experience shows why seller has very few reviews or recently created account selling high-value items and price is significantly below market value for the item are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Seller has very few reviews or recently created account selling high-value items
- Price is significantly below market value for the item
- Listing photos are stock images rather than actual photos of the item
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Record a video when opening packages from unknown sellers as proof of what was received.
- ✓File an Item Not As Described dispute immediately through eBay's Resolution Center.
- ✓Report the seller to eBay — multiple reports lead to account suspension.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- eBay's buyer protection policies cover Item Not As Described cases, but the burden of proof can be challenging without opening video evidence.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Record a video when opening packages from unknown sellers as proof of what was received.
- ✓File an Item Not As Described dispute immediately through eBay's Resolution Center.
- ✓Report the seller to eBay — multiple reports lead to account suspension.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
eBay's buyer protection policies cover Item Not As Described cases, but the burden of proof can be challenging without opening video evidence.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
eBay buyers, Electronics shoppers, Bargain hunters
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
eBay — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
eBay buyers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- eBay's buyer protection policies cover Item Not As Described cases, but the burden of proof can be challenging without opening video evidence.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about ebay empty box shipment scam
How does the ebay empty box shipment scam work?+
A scammer lists a high-value item at an attractive price and ships an empty box or one filled with junk. The valid tracking number shows the package was delivered, which the seller uses to fight any buyer dispute. If the buyer cannot prove the box was empty upon receipt, they may lose the eBay dispute.
What are the warning signs of ebay empty box shipment scam?+
Seller has very few reviews or recently created account selling high-value items Price is significantly below market value for the item Listing photos are stock images rather than actual photos of the item
What should I do if I encounter ebay empty box shipment scam?+
Record a video when opening packages from unknown sellers as proof of what was received. File an Item Not As Described dispute immediately through eBay's Resolution Center. Report the seller to eBay — multiple reports lead to account suspension.
Who is most at risk for ebay empty box shipment scam?+
This scam primarily targets eBay buyers, Electronics shoppers, Bargain hunters. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on eBay.
Is ebay empty box shipment scam getting worse?+
eBay empty box shipment scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Online shopping scams
↑ 166%fake online store non-delivery scam
Fraudulent websites mimic legitimate retailers, collect payment for products, and never ship anything. Victims discover the store vanishes within weeks.
What to do first
Dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company immediately
Targets
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Seen in
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Online shopping scams
↑ 166%counterfeit goods online shopping scam
Sellers advertise brand-name products at steep discounts but ship cheap counterfeits or knockoffs that may be unsafe or non-functional.
What to do first
Report counterfeit products to the brand's official anti-fraud department
Targets
Online shoppers
Seen in
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Online shopping scams
↑ 166%dropshipping extreme markup scam
Stores resell cheap items from wholesale marketplaces at extreme markups, often 5-10x the original price, while advertising them as exclusive or premium products.
What to do first
Use reverse image search on product photos before purchasing from unfamiliar stores
Targets
Online shoppers
Seen in
U.S.
Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.