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If you receive an item or package that you did not order, you may be a 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 an unexpected item, brushing scams can be a sign of identity theft. If you receive an unexpected package, please consider some steps.
What is a brushing scam?
Brushing fraud is a term that refers to receiving parcels or parcels that you did not order. Malicious individuals launch brushing scams for a variety of reasons. One reason is that it artificially inflates product reviews on online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. The seller ships the item to you (at a cost). Then, when you become a verified purchaser of a product, they use your account information to post positive reviews.
Positive reviews from verified buyers can have a positive impact on future sales, so sellers may find brushing to be financially beneficial. This is especially true if the item in question does not cost much and is light and cheap to ship. Brushing is fraudulent and illegal in the United States and many other countries.
Why are brushing scams bad?
If you receive items you didn’t purchase as part of a brushing scam, you may be wondering what the big deal is. No. You might enjoy getting these items or find them useful. As with many other types of scams and scams, the facts of the matter are a little more complicated.
Brushing scams can often be a sign of identity theft or compromised account credentials.In some cases, scammers use your account information and address to order and receive products You may. Then they plan to steal the package from your home (and leave you on the hook).
What should I do if I fall victim to a brushing scam?
If you have received unsolicited merchandise and believe you may have been the target of a brushing scam, please ensure that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service: suggest what you can do:
- not pay for the product — The seller may contact you and use coercive tactics to try to get you to pay.
- return the goods to the sender — If the package is unopened, it can be marked “Return to sender” and the postal service will return it to the sender free of charge.
- Change account password — Review your online accounts and make sure you’re using secure passwords that you change regularly.
- contact the merchant — If the item was shipped by an online retailer such as Amazon or eBay, contact the merchant to report the shipment and have the review removed as fraudulent.
- monitor your credit report — Use our free credit report to ensure there are no unexpected or inaccurate entries.
Can I store items?
The Federal Trade Commission says you don’t have to pay for unsolicited items and can keep them if you want. Please be aware that you may not know what you are holding, so it may be more dangerous than you anticipate. If you feel that an item you have received is dangerous or overly suspicious, always contact your local law enforcement agency or the U.S. Postal Service. You can contact the station.
Conclusion
Brushing fraud is a form of fraud in which fraudsters send unsolicited items or packages. In some cases, he even uses his online account information to write fake reviews as a “Verified Purchaser”. While this may seem like a victimless crime, it may indicate that your girlfriend’s identity or online accounts may have been compromised. We recommend that you monitor your credit report or change your online account security information.
If you believe you have been a victim of a brushing scam, you have the option to keep the item if you wish, as there is no legal obligation to pay. The post office will then send it back to you free of charge. If an item you have received appears overly suspicious or unsafe, please report it to the Postal Inspection Department and/or local law enforcement.
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