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Consumer Business
Unordered package at your door? It could be a scam
Gotten packages that you didn't send for? It could be part of a scam, according to the Better Business Bureau. (Metro Creative)
Posted
By Joe Ducey | Better Business Bureau
Did you get a package delivery that you didn’t order?
Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker shows people getting surprise jewelry boxes, bracelets, phone cords, nail kits, toys for pets and more.
A Mesa woman complains she received a “bluetooth sound box that she "did not order nor have any knowledge of the seller… The label is written in Chinese.”
What could be wrong with free products being delivered to your home?
Turns out, you could have been targeted for a recent scam called "brushing."
Brushing scams usually involve international third-hparty sellers wanting to "brush" up product reviews to increase sales.
They create a fake order, find addresses online and deliver a typically small, inexpensive item.
After delivery, they write a fake five-star positive review about the product in the recipient’s name.
That’s the pay off.
The fake reviews can fraudulently boost ratings and sales numbers.
Legally, you can keep unordered deliveries without returning.
If the package is unopened and there is a return address, you can write “return to sender” on the package and the U.S. Postal Service says it will be delivered at no charge to you.
So, you may think that no one is hurt and brushing is a victimless crime.
Authorities say that’s not true.
Fake reviews could lead buyers to potentially bad products.
Also, scammers know your address and are using your name to leave bogus reviews.
One Arizonan says he received jewelry out of the blue. “I don’t know what information they have about me. What should I do next?”
In some cases, there are QR codes or registration requests in the box. They are also part of the scam.
On its website, Amazon says check with family and friends to confirm it’s not a gift.
