What Is a Brushing Scam?

Most of the time, it’s obvious what people are referring to if they talk about a romance scam or an investment scam, but what is a brushing scam?  Take a guess from these choices: What’s your guess? Well, the answer might surprise you. It’s the last choice—when a delivery arrives at your address with goods inside that you didn’t order or expect. That’s what it is, but why is it a scam?  The answer is that it is, and it isn’t a potential scam. That’s why it’s good to be aware of this latest scheme by fraudsters. Getting free merchandise delivered to you could be the first step in a bigger scam leading to identity theft. Many people have received a letter or package delivered to the wrong address. The address on the delivery is for the house two doors down, or the next apartment building, etc. In those cases, someone else’s name and/or address can be seen on the “to” label. But what if the package that comes out of the blue has your name and address on it, just as if you ordered it? Is it a surprise from a friend, or did you forget that you bought something online a few weeks back? What if it is none of that? Then it could very well be what fraud experts call a brushing scam. It’s a sad byproduct of the booming online shopping industry on Amazon, Etsy, and other websites. That free package you received most likely came from an online seller sending you some of their merchandise to unload inventory. More than that, they may write a glowing review of the product on Amazon or another website review, using your name (Mike H. in California)—as if you ordered it, bought it, and loved it! In fact, that’s where the term “brushing scam” comes from. In the same way a job hunter “brushes up their resume” with impressive facts to make themselves look better (sometimes stretching the truth), an online seller will brush up their product reviews by creating false ones. The fake reviews could help the seller boost their sales. Of course, when you get that package you are unaware of any of this; you’re simply looking at a box you received and maybe wondering what it is. That’s the somewhat “harmless” aspect of the brushing scam. However, there could also be something else in the package that some brushing scammers include to get you involved, and that’s when something bad happens. Here’s what we mean. Let’s pretend you got a package today that you didn’t expect. You’d be curious, but surely you’d open it because it seems to be for you. Inside you find…something. It could be one of the following or something totally different: You find there’s no bill or statement, saying what you bought or what you owe. It appeas to be free, and it seems to be yours as far as you can tell. You’d be confused, naturally, as are the hundreds and thousands of people this happens to more and more. You’d be glad to keep items that came to you for free, especially if you liked it, or could give it to someone else. Truth is, most fraud and consumer experts say you can keep any items sent to that you didn’t order (unless you know it was intended for someone else, like a neighbor or some customer with the same name). A California resident kept receiving boxes of free dresses. He decided to take the high road and donate the merchandise to charitable organizations. Whether you keep the goods or not, you’d have to be somewhat suspicious because something strange is going on. What may seem like gifts from a stranger could be a sign of something worse . It might seem odd to be fearful of getting free merchandise in a surprise package, but caution is wise for a few reasons. Here’s what may be going on: Beware of the QR code! In some cases, along with free items inside the package, there is also a letter containing a message inviting you to learn more about the product or seller. It will include a QR code or website address that leads you to a webpage asking for your personal information. That’s where the brushing scam sometimes pays off for some criminals. However, even if there’s no sheet with a QR code or website they suggest you visit, you still should take action to protect yourself. Here’s why: If Amazon shipped a suspicious package, they want you to report it to them so they can investigate. Here’s why: Whatever shopping platform you use, they will have a way for you to report possible brushing scams. On that day when an unexpected package arrives at your doorstep, what will you do? To learn more about account safety and protecting your money and identity, visit the Learning Center at WhatIsMyIPAddress.com. You’ll find many informative, easy-to-read articles to help you protect what’s important to you.