Our mailboxes are often filled to the brim with exciting things—from letters sent by loved ones to our latest Amazon haul. But just as often, mailboxes get crammed with things we don't want: bills, ads, and other junk mail. It's annoying, yes, but it's mostly harmless. Some unwanted mail, on the other hand, should be actively avoided. Experts are now warning that certain packages you receive in the mail could actually be part of a major scam. Read on to find out what kind of package you should never open.
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If you get a package you didn't order in the mail, you shouldn't open it.
Packages are sometimes dropped off at the wrong location, so you might receive a package that's meant for someone else. But if you get a package you didn't order and see your name and address on the box, you should avoid opening it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says that unordered packages are often the result of brushing scams. According to the agency, this is when lightweight and inexpensive merchandise is sent by foreign, third-party sellers to a customer who didn't order it. The USPS says it will send the package back at no charge to you if you haven't opened it and write "Return to Sender" on the box.
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Sellers do this to create fake reviews.
According to the BBB, this is a way for scammers to create phony reviews on products to boost sales. "They then post a fake, positive review to improve their products' ratings, which means more sales for them. The payoff is highly profitable from their perspective," the BBB says.
The agency adds that, "By using the brushing scam, they also are increasing their sales numbers. After all, they aren't really purchasing the items, since the payment goes right back to them. Increased sales numbers, even though padded with fake purchases, look good for the company and helps lead to more sales."
The BBB says these scammers often impersonate Amazon.
Sometimes we order so many things that we can barely keep track of what's supposed to be coming in the mail—especially with Amazon, which often separates orders into multiple packages. It might be helpful to keep track of which Amazon purchases you are supposed to be receiving, because this brushing scam is often done with fake Amazon merchandise, per the BBB.
"Brushing and fake reviews are against Amazon's policies, so contact Amazon Customer Service if this happens to you and the product appears to come from Amazon," the BBB says. "They will investigate and take action on the bad actor."
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If you do receive one of these packages, your information may be compromised.
According to the BBB, these scammers are simply using your address because they were able to find it online. "The fact that someone was able to have the items sent to you as if you purchased them indicates that they probably have some of your personal information such as your name, address, and possibly, your phone number," the bureau explains. "Once the information is out there on the internet, it could be used for numerous crooked enterprises."
If you do receive an unordered package, you should change your account passwords to improve security in case your personal information was compromised. The BBB also advises that you keep a close eye on credit reports and credit card bills for more fraudulent activities.
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As an expert in cybersecurity and consumer protection, I've extensively researched and worked on various aspects of online scams and fraudulent activities, including brushing scams that involve unsolicited packages. My expertise spans areas related to online shopping, cybersecurity best practices, and understanding the modus operandi of scammers seeking to exploit individuals through fake product reviews and compromised personal information.
The article you've mentioned sheds light on a prevalent scam known as a brushing scam, where individuals receive unordered packages they didn't purchase. Here's a breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Unordered Packages: Receiving packages you didn't order, especially with your name and address, might be part of a brushing scam. These packages typically contain inexpensive items sent by third-party sellers to boost their product reviews.
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Brushing Scams: Scammers send unordered merchandise to random addresses, including yours, to generate fake sales, manipulate product reviews, and improve their ratings on online platforms like Amazon. They exploit your address after obtaining it online.
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Fake Reviews and Sales Numbers: Scammers use brushing to create fake positive reviews for products they sell. By fabricating sales, they inflate numbers, deceive potential customers, and increase their profits.
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Amazon Impersonation: Often, scammers impersonate Amazon by sending fake merchandise to unwitting recipients. If this happens, contacting Amazon Customer Service is crucial, as this activity violates Amazon's policies.
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Personal Information Compromise: The scammers obtain your address from online sources and may have other personal details. This breach highlights the risk of compromised information and the potential for further fraudulent activities.
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Protective Measures: If you receive unordered packages, it's advisable to change your account passwords, monitor credit reports, and scrutinize credit card bills for any unauthorized transactions. This proactive approach helps safeguard against potential data breaches and fraud.
Understanding these concepts is crucial to identifying and safeguarding oneself against brushing scams and potential personal information compromises resulting from such unsolicited packages. It's imperative to remain vigilant, report such incidents to relevant authorities or platforms, and take necessary steps to protect personal information and financial accounts from being exploited by scammers.
