Got an unexpected package? It could be part of a brushing scam | CBC Radio (2024)

FAQs

Why did I receive a package in my name that I didn t order? ›

If you receive a package that you did not order and is not a gift, report it immediately. When a customer receives a package they didn't order, it may be a scam called "brushing". "Brushing" scams occur when bad actors send packages to publicly available names and addresses.

If the item is an unknown liquid or substance, contact the local authorities. Notify the retailer. If the package received is from a third-party retailer like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, or WISH report it to them and ask them to remove any reviews under your name. Monitor your accounts.

"Brushing" scams occur when bad actors send packages to publicly available names and addresses. If you receive a package or item, that you didn't order, first confirm that it was not a gift that was sent to you and check with friends and family to see if they ordered the package.

A brushing scam is when fake designer goods are sent to you unprompted so the scammer can leave real-looking positive reviews for online shoppers. CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Cartier ring or other luxury goods, left at your doorstep!

You can't. The tracking number will only give you the post office of origin, not the name of a person. In addition, the person could have mailed it from a post office 100 miles away from where they lived.

The short answer is “yes.” Opening or destroying mail that is addressed to someone else is a crime called “Obstruction of Correspondence.” It is a serious felony that could lead to prison time.

Oily stains or discolorations on the exterior. Strange odors. Excessive packaging material, like tape or string. Lopsided or bulky shape of envelopes or boxes.

“Brushing” is when a scammer finds a consumer's personal information and ships goods that they did not order. The fraudster then writes reviews in the recipient's name with the objective of falsely boosting the ratings or reputation of a company.

Is brushing scam illegal? ›

If you receive items or packages that you never ordered, you may be the victim of a brushing scam. Brushing scams are illegal in the United States and many other countries. While you may enjoy the surprise of receiving items that you weren't expecting, brushing scams may be a symptom of identity theft.

It's called "brushing."The person who sent it doesn't want what's inside. It's a third-party seller that's sending you items to use the tracking number to prove you're a verified buyer. They'll then use that number to post five-star reviews on the product to boost sales.

A quick change scam is when a customer pays for a small item with a large bill ($50, $100) so they get more change back. It works because while the cashier is counting the change, the scam artist “discovers” they can pay with a smaller bill after all.

For example, a scammer may sell you concert or sports tickets but then never actually give them to you. Or a scammer might purchase an item from you, appear to send a payment, and then cancel it before it reaches your bank account.

Whether you are the sender or recipient, you can track your item: Online: Use USPS Tracking® on the United States Postal Service® website. By text: Send a text to 28777 (2USPS) with your tracking number as the content of the message. Standard message and data rates may apply.

Yes, you can now track your package by address but not directly on the search field. USPS package is designed to be tracked using the tracking numbers indicated on the shipping label. You need to register an Informed Delivery account and use your address to determine the status of all your parcels.

It is a federal crime to open or destroy mail that is not intended for you. The law provides that you can not "destroy, hide, open, or embezzle" mail that is not addressed to you. If you intentionally open or destroy someone else's mail, you are committing obstruction of correspondence, which is a felony.

While it may be tempting to shred or throw away this mail, doing so may constitute a felony. Obstruction of correspondence is a federal criminal offense. Upon conviction, you may face up to five years in prison for destroying someone else's mail.

IS IT ILLEGAL TO OPEN SOMEONE ELSE'S MAIL? Yes, it is. If you intentionally open someone else's mail, you can be charged for doing so. This does not apply to accidents, such as accidentally opening your neighbor's letter when you received it in a pile of mail addressed to you.

How to do a lick up for a Amazon package? ›

Go to the Locker location. Locate the 6-digit pickup code and bar code in your delivery confirmation email. Enter your pickup code on the touch-screen display or scan the bar code using the Locker scanner. The scanner is located directly beneath the touch screen of the Locker.

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.

According to experts and the Better Business Bureau, a consumer advocacy organization, receiving unsolicited packages may be part of so-called brushing scams. Companies, often operating overseas, purchase items and have them shipped to random recipients so the seller can then write a favourable review on the product.

Brushing scams occur when a person receives a package from a business containing various items that they never ordered. The packages will be addressed to your residence, but usually do not have a return address or have the return address of a retailer.

Directly replying to a spam text message lets a spammer know that your number is genuine. What happens next They can sell your phone number to other spammers who might bombard you with false promises of free gifts and product offers. Instead, it's best to block and report the number.

Is this legal? Under state and federal law, recipients of unordered merchandise may keep the goods and are under no obligation to pay for or return them. The recipient may treat the merchandise as an unconditional gift—and may use or dispose of the merchandise as he or she sees fit.

Contact amazon customer service, explain that a parcel was delivered to your address by them for someone who does not live there and will they please come and collect it.

If you have received the scarf without ordering it, you have been a victim of a brushing scam. Generally, brushing scams are run by the company itself, which bears the item's cost and shipping charges. Fraudsters only care about earning five-star ratings.

Law enforcement will obtain a search warrant from a judge authorizing them to search for and seize evidence related to the online scam. This may include computers, cell phones, bank records and other documents. Another common way the federal government gathers evidence is through subpoenas.

Can a scammer send you to jail? ›

Online fraud, more commonly known as scamming, can lead to harsh legal penalties. In general, computer crimes that involve unlawfully accessing, changing, or damaging a computer, computer system, or computer network may result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.

The FTC investigates and prosecutes cases involving a wide range of online fraud, including identity theft, fake sweepstakes, credit scams, and more. You can also file fraud complaints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The perpetrators of online scams are often charged with federal wire fraud crimes.

Tracking down a scammer can be challenging, but it is possible. Remember to gather as much information as possible about the scammer. Check if anyone else has reported them or if they have any criminal records.

An identity thief would have to obtain personal details such as your name, birthdate and Social Security number in order to open a credit card in your name. However, it is a federal crime to do this, and it can result in jail time when the thief is caught for their behavior.

If scammers know your name and address, they can target you with phishing campaigns, spoofed advertisem*nts, and fake offers. Any information you give them can be used to fully steal your identity.

Notify the retailer.

Most businesses encourage you to report fraudulent activity for security purposes. You should let them know that you received a package based on a fraudulent purchase so that they can take the appropriate steps to prevent it from happening again.

Your Rights When You Get Unordered Merchandise

By law, companies can't send unordered merchandise to you, then demand payment. That means you never have to pay for things you get but didn't order. You also don't need to return unordered merchandise. You're legally entitled to keep it as a free gift.

Fake shipping and package delivery notices have been going out by email to consumers for quite a while. Officials are concerned more consumers will fall for the scam as they do more and more shopping on line.

Empty package scalping is an e-commerce scheme where an online business will inflate successful package delivery statistics on popular e-commerce platforms by mailing and then tracking successful delivery of fake or empty packages.

The term brushing comes from a translation of the Chinese word for cleaning, according to Hamerstone. “[It's] similar to how in English we talk about money laundering even though it has nothing to do with detergent and washing machines, because it makes the illicit money 'clean,'” he explains.

Why did I receive a Walmart package I didn't order? ›

The packages are part of called a “brushing scam.” Here's how it works: A person receives a package they didn't order. Sometimes it actually has a product in it, but often the envelope is empty, or it contains something lightweight, like a small piece of cardboard.

Legally, you're allowed to keep a mistaken delivery. Surprising, right? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has rules that allow you to keep merchandise that's wrongly delivered — even if you didn't pay for it. The logic is that sellers can't just send you goods and demand money for them.

As long as the merchandise is addressed to you, you may keep it. If it is addressed to someone else, then you are obligated to make reasonable efforts to either return it or deliver it to the intended recipient.

You certainly could. If it's not yours, give it back to the letter carrier or take it to the post office & turn it in. Until it's correctly delivered to the addressee, it's still the property of the sender.

Now on Amazon's iOS app and Android app, customers can use Package X-Ray to see what's in a package that has been delivered without opening it and spoiling the surprise. Customers simply scan the barcode using their camera icon within the mobile app and the items that are inside the box will pop up on their screen.

When you receive a mistaken delivery, call customer service for the delivery company and explain the situation. Give them the tracking number on the package, as well as the name and address on the package if it's different from yours. The company will come and pick up the product within a reasonable time frame.

Three delivery attempts on consecutive days will be made. If the third delivery attempt is unsuccessful your package will be returned to Amazon for a refund.