Brushing is when you receive a random package containing an item you did not order. The packaging looks odd, there is no return address, and the merchandise is usually something you would never have ordered in the first place. What could be better than getting surprises, right? Well, when you receive an unsolicited package, chances are it is part of a larger brushing scam. Let’s take a look at how it works and what to do if you find yourself in possession of one of these packages.
How it works:
A person receives a package that contains various items not ordered or requested by the recipient. The package is addressed to the recipient, and the return address is either missing or belongs to a retailer. Usually, the sender of the package is an international third-party seller. These companies find names and addresses online. They will write a fake review of these products in your name in the hopes of drawing others to purchase the fake merchandise. By doing this, the scammers hope to boost or inflate the product’s ratings which will add to their sales, resulting in more money for them. It may appear that this is a victimless crime since the recipient did get free stuff, however, there is a very good chance the person’s information has been compromised. Also, the fake review written in the recipient’s name may prompt other people to purchase worthless items and be scammed themselves. Even further, sometimes these scammers use a recipient’s address to have merchandise shipped and then steal it from the mailbox before the resident is able to get it.
What to do if you find yourself with unsolicited merchandise:
- Don’t pay for it! Do not be swindled or talked into paying for it.
- Return to sender. If there is a return address, and it is unopened, you can mark it as “Return to Sender” and the USPS will return it at no charge to you.
- Throw it away. If you open it and decide you don’t want it, simply throw it away.
- Keep it. By law, you may keep unsolicited merchandise and you don’t have to pay for it.
- Change your account passwords. More than likely your personal information has been compromised.
- Closely monitor your credit reports and credit card bills.
- Notify authorities. If the merchandise is organic or an unknown liquid or other substance, notify the proper authorities.
- Notify the retailer. If the package arrives from Amazon, eBay, or another third-party vendor you can go to the company’s site and report the fraud. Be sure to ask them to remove any fake reviews that are in your name.
