Amazon Scam Warning: Beware of Deliveries You Didn't Order (2024)

Have you recently received an Amazon package that you didn’t order? It may be part of a scam called “brushing.”

This scheme involves a package from Amazon showing up at your doorstep with your name on it, but it’s not anything you ordered.

Legally, you get to keep any package that’s addressed to you, but this scam isn’t entirely a victimless crime.

Amazon Brushing: Table of Contents

What Is Amazon Brushing?
The Dangers of Amazon Brushing
What To Do if You Get Something From Amazon You Didn’t Order

What Is Amazon Brushing?

Third-party online sellers engage in “brushing” scams in an attempt to raise product ratings on websites such as Amazon. The seller pays a third party to purchase their products through fake buyer accounts they’ve created.

After the purchase, the item gets delivered to a real address. Then the seller can write a positive review of their own product from the fake Amazon buyer account.

Reviews are hugely important to any seller on Amazon. The more reviews a particular product has and the better the reviews are, the higher the product will rank in Amazon’s algorithm. That means more exposure for that product which potentially leads to more sales.

In addition, sellers who engage in brushing scams sometimes write what are called “verified purchase reviews.” Anyone with an Amazon account can write a review for any product, but verified purchase reviews rank higher in the algorithm. And Amazon gives reviews that label only if it confirms that the product was bought at full price from the reviewer’s account.

The Dangers of Amazon Brushing

CNN Business reports brushing scams became popular in the mid-2010s. There have been many examples of brushing made public since then.

A woman in Thousand Oaks, California, received unordered Amazon packages every two weeks for more than six months. The packages contained items ranging from a briefcase to a hair straightener to a coffee cup warmer.

In Massachusetts, CBS News reported a couple received 1-2 packages every week for five months. The unsolicited Amazon packages contained items including a humidifier, a flashlight, Bluetooth speakers and a computer vacuum cleaner.

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Your Information Is Compromised

Receiving unordered packages from Amazon means your information has been compromised. A third-party seller somehow acquired your name, shipping address and possibly your Amazon account information.

Amazon provides a help page for victims of brushing scams. We also reached out to the company’s press center and received a statement from an Amazon spokesperson via email.

It said, in part, “… we take action on those who violate our policies, including withholding payments, suspending or removing selling privileges, or working with law enforcement.”

Amazon says it will investigate and “will take action on bad actors that violate” its policies.

Fake Amazon Reviews Inflate Product Ratings

Online purchasers rely on reviews to make shopping choices.

“The real losers here are the consumers who are possibly believing many of these fake positive reviews, or this artificial padding of reviews because they might see 100 positive reviews, and then there may only be 60 or 70 of them that are legitimate,” former Amazon policy enforcement investigator Chris McCabe told CNN.

What To Do if You Get Something From Amazon You Didn’t Order

If you have received an unsolicited Amazon package and have confirmed no one you know sent you a gift, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and future potential victims:

Report the unordered package to Amazon customer service at (888) 280-4331.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission online or by phone at (877) 382-4357.
Change the password on your Amazon account and any other accounts that have the same password.
Keep a close eye on your credit card statements to spot suspicious activity.

Whatever you do, do not pay for an unsolicited package. If the sender calls with a bill, they are trying to scam you again!

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Final Thoughts

With Amazon brushing, there is no risk of legally owing money on a package you did not order.

But there is a potential risk in that someone has found at least your name and mailing address. You don’t know what else they may have or how else they could be using your personal information.

Amazon brushing is also bad for consumers overall, as it falsely elevates product ratings.

Have you ever received a package that you didn’t order? Share your experience in our Clark.com Community.

As an expert in e-commerce security and online scams, I can shed light on the alarming phenomenon known as "Amazon brushing." This deceptive practice has gained notoriety in recent years, and my in-depth knowledge allows me to explain its intricacies and potential dangers.

Understanding Amazon Brushing:

Amazon brushing is a deceitful strategy employed by third-party online sellers to boost their product ratings on platforms like Amazon. The process involves these sellers paying a third party to make purchases of their own products through fabricated buyer accounts. Subsequently, the purchased items are sent to real addresses, allowing the sellers to craft positive reviews for their products using the fake Amazon buyer accounts.

The rationale behind this scam lies in the significance of reviews for sellers on Amazon. The more positive reviews a product accumulates, and the higher their quality, the better the product ranks in Amazon's algorithm. This increased visibility can lead to higher sales, making it a lucrative tactic for unscrupulous sellers.

Moreover, brushing scammers sometimes generate "verified purchase reviews," which carry even more weight in the algorithm. Amazon designates reviews as verified purchases only when it confirms that the product was acquired at full price from the reviewer's legitimate account.

The Dangers of Amazon Brushing:

This deceptive practice poses risks beyond the inconvenience of receiving unordered packages. Reports indicate that victims of brushing have received a stream of unsolicited Amazon packages for months. Although recipients are legally entitled to keep these items, the more significant concern is the compromise of personal information.

Receiving unordered packages signals a breach of privacy, as third-party sellers have somehow obtained the recipient's name, shipping address, and potentially Amazon account information. Amazon acknowledges the severity of these incidents and asserts its commitment to taking action against violators, including withholding payments, suspending or removing selling privileges, and collaborating with law enforcement.

The broader impact of Amazon brushing extends to the authenticity of product reviews. Fake positive reviews can mislead consumers, undermining the trustworthiness of the review system and harming those who rely on genuine feedback for informed purchasing decisions.

What To Do If You Receive Unsolicited Packages:

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of receiving unordered packages from Amazon, take the following steps to protect yourself and others:

Report to Amazon: Contact Amazon customer service at (888) 280-4331 to report the unordered package.
Contact Authorities: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by phone at (877) 382-4357.
Secure Your Accounts: Change the password on your Amazon account and any other accounts sharing the same password.
Monitor Finances: Keep a vigilant eye on your credit card statements to identify any suspicious activity.
Do Not Pay: Refrain from paying for any unsolicited packages, and be cautious if the sender attempts to bill you.

In conclusion, while Amazon brushing doesn't pose a direct financial risk, the compromise of personal information and the distortion of product ratings underscore the importance of remaining vigilant in the online shopping landscape. Stay informed, report incidents promptly, and take proactive measures to safeguard your online accounts and personal data.