Who doesn’t love the surprise of finding an unexpected package at the door? While surprises and gifts are exciting, unsolicited packages from companies or retailers can come with hidden risks. These seemingly harmless items are often part of a larger scheme known as a brushing scam, which is illegal in the U.S. and many other countries. How Brushing Scams Work: In a brushing scam, you receive packages of items you didn’t order. Although the package is addressed to you, it usually lacks a return address or lists a retailer. The sender is typically an international third-party seller who found your address online. The packages are usually light to avoid costly shipping costs. The goal? In the past, it’s been to make it seem like you’re a verified buyer who wrote a positive review. They create fake reviews using your name to boost product ratings and sales falsely. Since the items are usually cheap and easy to ship, scammers see it as a profitable strategy to increase sales over time. QR codes More recently, unsolicited packages may include QR codes that can be scanned to learn who sent the gift. Scanning the QR code can send scammers all the phone information, including personal and financial information. What to do If you receive an unsolicited package, don’t scan any QR codes or pay money for the parcel. If the product appears to come from Amazon, you can report it to Amazon customer service so they can remove the bad actors from the marketplace. You can also report brushing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission. If packages addressed to you show up at your door, scammers have your personal information. To be safe, change the passwords of any major accounts. Additionally, keep an extra eye on bank accounts and credit cards for unauthorized transactions. On the positive side, if you received something you like, the Federal Trade Commission says you have a legal right to keep unordered merchandise. Finders, keepers! |
Beware of Unsolicited Packages: What You Need to Know About Brushing Scams
