The FTC has issued two alerts in less than two years about a scam that may leave you scratching your head as to what the goal is. It’s called “brushing” and local consumers have filed reports about it with our BBB Scam Tracker service.
It starts with an unexpected package that appears to be from a well-known company like Amazon or one you’ve never heard of. One consumer posted on Reddit that he received five packages and I’ve read stories about people receiving even more. The FTC alerts say the contents are often baby wipes, toothpaste or seeds; or fake “luxury” items like rings, beauty products and even Bluetooth speakers.
It’s called “brushing” because after delivery has been verified, the disreputable sellers use your name to place fake reviews
online about their business to “brush up” their sales.
A local consumer filed a Scam Tracker report saying, “I received a small glass trinket in the mail that I never ordered or paid for. At first I thought it may have been sent by mistake, but later I found what appeared to be a review posted online using my name. I never purchased the item and never wrote or authorized the review.”
Another consumer received several packages containing facial-hair remover, a small pin, and bottles of male-enhancement gummies.
A more insidious version of brushing involves a note in the package that contains a QR code with instructions to scan it to find out who sent the package or to process a return. It may take you to a phishing website designed to steal information like your credit card number, usernames or passwords.
The FTC and BBB offer this advice if you get a package you didn’t order:
- Change passwords on all your online shopping accounts in case they were compromised. If the package came from Amazon or another online marketplace, message the platform so they can investigate removing the seller.
- Check your credit weekly for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Monitor the information in your credit report and look for signs of identity theft.
- Be careful contacting the sender. Anyone who responds may try to get more sensitive information from you to try to steal your money.
- Know that the law says you don’t need to return things you didn’t order. And you don’t have to pay for them, either. But be cautious about using the product. After all, you don’t know who sent it.
Amazon has advice on its website for dealing with brushing scams. It says third-party sellers are prohibited from sending unsolicited packages to customers. If you receive a package you didn’t order and is not a gift, report it immediately. There’s a link on the Help & Customer Service page on Amazon’s website to report unwanted packages. Amazon says it investigates reports of “brushing” and takes the appropriate action against bad actors that violate its policies. It may suspend or remove selling privileges, withhold payments, and work with law enforcement during investigation.
Randy Hutchinson is president and CEO of Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: BBB of the Mid-South: An unexpected package may be a scam
