That Free Package Could Be a Brushing Scam: Scambusters #1,189
You may get a package you never ordered. It might look like a free gift, but it’s often a brushing scam. Scammers use it to post fake reviews and steal your information, putting your privacy at risk.
Brush Up on Brushing Scams: Protect Yourself from This Sneaky Package Scam
Have you ever received a package at your door that you didn’t order? While surprise deliveries might seem fun or harmless, they could be part of a scam called a brushing scam. Brushing scams trick people by misusing reviews and personal information. They can happen to anyone, so knowing how they work helps protect your privacy and identity.
Brushing scams have been around for several years, and reports of these scams have grown a lot since 2019. These scams mainly target big online shopping sites like Amazon and eBay, where customer reviews strongly affect how visible products are and how well they sell.
Scammers use a straightforward method to trick people. They get your personal details, like your name and address, and then buy cheap items using fake accounts in your name. These items are sent to your address. The scammers then write fake positive reviews for the products, pretending to be real buyers. This trick makes their products more visible in search results, which leads to more sales from customers who trust these review scores to decide what to buy.
Companies Involved in Brushing Scams
Both legitimate and illegitimate companies can be involved in brushing operations, though their participation varies significantly:
Illegitimate Operations:
- Fake storefronts are made just to scam people.
- Companies that exist only on paper and do not carry out any real business activities.
- Overseas manufacturers that sell fake or poor-quality goods.
Legitimate Companies:
- Some businesses have been found using brushing tactics to boost their review scores. These companies can face serious consequences, such as having their accounts suspended, facing legal action, or getting banned permanently from major e-commerce platforms.
Major online shopping sites watch for brushing activities. They use advanced systems to find and penalize accounts that are part of fake review schemes.
How Scammers Operate
Understanding how a scammer begins the brushing scam process can help you recognize when you might be a target.
- Data Collection – Scammers get your personal information from data breaches, public records, or by buying mailing lists.
- Account Creation – They make fake buyer accounts using your name and address.
- Product Purchase – Scammers use fake accounts to buy their own products.
- Package Delivery – Items are shipped directly to your address.
- Fake Review Creation – They use fake accounts to post positive reviews, pretending to be verified buyers.
- Ranking Manipulation – These reviews help products stand out and improve their sales rankings on e-commerce sites.
Who Is Vulnerable to Brushing Scams?
While brushing scams can target anyone, certain groups face higher risk levels:
High-Risk Populations:
- People who shop online often have a lot of past purchases.
- People who have had their data exposed in past breaches.
- People living in crowded cities.
- People who have shared personal information on social media platforms.
Geographic Considerations:
- Urban areas with many people often see more brushing scams. This happens because it is easier to deliver packages and there are many different mailing addresses available.
How Scammers Get Your Address
Personal information used in brushing scams comes from various sources:
- Data breaches from retailers, healthcare providers, or financial institutions
- Public records including voter registrations and property records
- Social media profiles where users share location information
- Purchased mailing lists from data brokers
- Previous online purchases from compromised retailer databases
- Phishing attempts through fraudulent emails or websites
Can There Be Security Risks and Dangers?
While receiving unexpected packages might seem harmless, brushing scams pose several serious risks:
- Identity Theft Concerns – The fact that scammers have your name and address suggests they may have access to additional personal information. This data could be used for more serious identity theft schemes.
- Privacy Violations – Your personal information is being used without consent to create fake accounts and manipulate online systems.
- Potential Escalation – Brushing scams can serve as a testing ground for more sophisticated fraud attempts. Scammers may use successful brushing operations to identify likely targets for larger schemes.
- Package Security – Unexpected deliveries can create security risks if valuable items are left unattended at your doorstep.
What Warning Signs Can I Watch For?
Recognize these warning signs of potential brushing scams:
- You get packages you didn’t order.
- Items come from unknown overseas locations.
- Products have no return address or unclear sender information.
- You receive cheap, lightweight items, like phone accessories or small electronics.
- Multiple packages arrive in a short time.
- Packages are addressed to you but have slight name changes.
- The sellers have a limited or suspicious online presence.
What to Do If You Receive Suspicious Packages
If you believe you're the target of a brushing scam, take these immediate steps:
Document Everything:
- Take photos of packages, shipping labels, and contents.
- Keep records of dates and sender information.
- Save all packaging materials as evidence.
Report the Activity:
- Contact the e-commerce platform where the seller operates.
- File reports with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Notify your local postal service if packages arrive via USPS.
- File a police report with your local law enforcement agency.
Monitor Your Information:
- Check your credit reports for unusual activity.
- Review bank and credit card statements carefully.
- Change passwords for online shopping accounts.
- Consider placing fraud alerts on your credit files.
You can legally keep unsolicited merchandise sent to your address but avoid using items that could pose safety risks.
Resources and Support
Several organizations provide assistance for scam victims:
Government Resources:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – File complaints and fraud.
- Better Business Bureau – Research companies and report scam.
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Handle mail-related fraud cases.
E-commerce Platform Support:
- Contact the e-commerce platform's support department to inform them of the possible scam.
Safeguarding Yourself Against Future Attacks
Preventing brushing scams requires proactive steps to protect your personal information:
- Limit what personal information you share on social media.
- Use privacy settings to keep your contact details private.
- Check your credit reports regularly for any unauthorized accounts.
- Be careful when giving out personal information online.
- Think about using a PO Box for deliveries that aren’t essential.
- Keep software and security systems updated on all devices.
Conclusion
Brushing scams are a serious threat to consumer privacy and the trustworthiness of online marketplaces. These scams take advantage of both consumers and honest businesses by manipulating review systems and misusing personal information.
If you receive unexpected packages, stay alert and take action right away if you think you might be targeted. Reporting suspicious activity and protecting your personal information can help fight these scams and protect other consumers, too.
Remember, staying informed about new scam tactics and being skeptical of unsolicited packages or messages can help you defend against brushing scams and other online fraud.
Remember, Stay Alert and Stay Informed!