June 16, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Avoid Fake Tracking Numbers When Buying Secondhand
Why fake tracking numbers happen
On platforms without built-in buyer protection, a small number of bad-faith sellers will send a real-looking but unrelated or expired tracking number just to stall a buyer past a dispute window. It's not common, but it's common enough to be worth a 30-second check.
Check the tracking number's shape
Every major carrier has a rough pattern. A UPS number usually starts with 1Z and runs 18 characters. USPS numbers are typically 20-22 digits. FedEx is usually 12-22 digits, no letters. If what you were sent doesn't remotely resemble the claimed carrier's usual format, that's worth asking about — though keep in mind formats do vary, so this is a soft signal, not proof.
Track it on the carrier's own site, not a screenshot
Never accept a screenshot of a tracking page as proof — screenshots can be edited or reused from an old, unrelated shipment. Always paste the number into the carrier's real tracking page yourself, or use a link that routes there directly.
Watch for a status that never moves
A legitimate shipment updates at least once every few days. If a tracking number sits on 'label created' for over a week with zero movement, that's the strongest signal something's off — either the seller hasn't actually shipped yet, or the number isn't tied to your order.
Ask for the tracking link, not just the number
A seller who's shipped for real can generate a tracking link in under a minute with almost any tool, including free ones. Hesitation to provide one, or providing only a number with no way to verify the carrier, is worth treating as a yellow flag.
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