Imagine this: you come home to find unexpected packages piled on your doorstep. Boxes filled with random merchandise from Amazon or other retailers. At first glance, it feels like you’ve hit the jackpot.
But as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns, this is no stroke of luck. Instead, it’s part of a deceptive scam known as “brushing”—and you’re far from the real winner here.
What is a Brushing Scam?
Brushing scams have seen a sudden nationwide surge. You start receiving unordered boxes of miscellaneous items such as humidifiers, hand warmers, flashlights, Bluetooth speakers, or computer vacuum cleaners.
The items are often lightweight and inexpensive to ship, like ping pong balls, face masks, or even seeds from China. It happens when a third-party seller gets hold of your name, shipping address, and potentially even your account information. They then send you unsolicited items and write a positive review on your behalf.
This scam is a tactic to artificially inflate the seller’s ratings and boost their online presence. While this might sound harmless or even beneficial to you, remember – there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
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Why it’s a red flag
If you’re receiving items as though you’ve purchased them, it signifies that someone has access to your personal information. Your name, address, and perhaps even your phone number are all potentially exposed. Once this information is online, it could be used for numerous illicit activities.
How online sellers use brushing scams to increase their sales and reputation
The companies executing the brushing scam increase their sales numbers by making these fake purchases. Though padded, the inflated sales numbers improve the company’s reputation and lead to more legitimate sales.
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Another angle to this scam is the ‘porch pirate’ tactic, where thieves use others’ addresses and accounts, wait for the delivery, and steal the package before the resident gets it.
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What can you do?
1) Contact the retailer: Brushing and fake reviews violate Amazon’s policies. So, if you suspect a brushing scam and the package appears to come from Amazon, contact Amazon Customer Service. They take such reports seriously and will take appropriate action. If the package appears to come from another company, contact them directly via their official website.
2) Return the package: If the package is marked with a return address and is unopened, mark it “Return to Sender,” and USPS will return it at no charge to you.
3) Do not pay for unordered merchandise: Whatever you do – do not pay for the merchandise that you didn’t order in the first place. Avoid falling victim to these brushing scams by absolutely refusing to pay for any unordered packages.
4) Try to identify the sender : If you can identify the sender of the unordered packages, check for false reviews in your name and request for them to be removed.
5) Monitor your accounts: If you find yourself flooded with unordered packages, refuse package delivery at your home address and temporarily redirect your actual orders to a package acceptance service. Keep a close eye on your accounts for any recent orders you didn’t make.
6) Erase your digital footprint: How did these criminals get your address in the first place? It’s probably found on various people search sites all over the web and it’s time to reclaim your privacy. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service like our #1 pick Incogni is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.
A service like Incogni can help you remove all this personal information from the internet. It has a very clean interface and will scan 195 websites for your information and remove it and keep it removed.
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7) Change your passwords: If you’ve been a victim of a brushing scam, it’s best to change your passwords immediately as this means that your personal information is exposed somewhere online. To help with this, see my picks for best password managers here.
According to the Federal Trade Commission you have a legal right to keep unordered merchandise. However, this should not distract you from the potential privacy concerns it represents.
8) Be cautious of QR codes: QR codes have become increasingly common, but they can also be used maliciously. Always verify the source of a QR code before scanning it, and avoid scanning codes from unknown or suspicious sources.
9) Install strong antivirus software: To protect yourself from potential malware or phishing attempts if you accidentally click on a malicious link from a QR code, install reputable antivirus software on your devices and keep it updated. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
My top pick is TotalAV, and you can get a limited-time deal for CyberGuy readers: $19 your first year (80% off) for the TotalAV Antivirus Pro package.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Who knew that free stuff could be such a headache? Brushing scams are a sneaky way for unscrupulous sellers to game the system, but they come at the cost of your privacy. As someone who’s experienced this firsthand, I can tell you it’s more unsettling than exciting. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay vigilant, protect your personal information, and don’t be afraid to speak up if you suspect you’re a victim of a brushing scam. After all, your peace of mind is worth far more than a few random toiletries showing up at your door.
So, next time an unexpected parcel lands on your doorstep, will you view it as a gift or a red flag? Are you prepared to protect your digital self in the vast realm of the internet?
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