How Does a Brushing Scam Work and What Should You Do?
Learn what a brushing scam is, why you receive unsolicited packages, and what to do about this deceptive online practice.
A “brushing scam” involves receiving unsolicited packages, often containing inexpensive items, from third-party sellers on e-commerce platforms. This deceptive practice manipulates product ratings and enhances online visibility. The recipient is an unwitting participant, not a direct target of financial fraud.
Understanding the Brushing Scam
A brushing scam is a fraudulent tactic where online sellers send unrequested items to individuals to create fake transactions. This practice artificially inflates product ratings and boosts their online presence. The recipient is an unwitting participant in the scammer’s strategy, not the intended victim of financial theft. The primary goal is to generate a legitimate-looking purchase and delivery, which then allows the scammer to post a fabricated positive review in the recipient’s name, making it seem like a verified purchase.
The items sent are typically low-value goods, such as seeds, cheap jewelry, or small gadgets, which are inexpensive for scammers to acquire and ship. While receiving free merchandise might seem harmless, it indicates that your personal information, at minimum your name and address, has been obtained and used without your consent. The “purchase” associated with the package is entirely fabricated by the scammer, serving only to facilitate the fraudulent review.
The Mechanics of the Scam
The process of a brushing scam begins with acquiring personal information, specifically names and addresses, from various sources. This data can be obtained from public records, data broker sites, or information exposed in data breaches. With this information, scammers create fake buyer accounts on major e-commerce platforms, often using stolen or fabricated identities. They then “purchase” their own products listed on the e-commerce site, using the obtained addresses as shipping destinations.
Even though the recipient did not order the item, the shipment and delivery establish a “verified purchase” status on the platform. This status allows the scammers to write positive reviews for their products, which carry more weight than unverified reviews.
The Purpose Behind the Packages
Scammers engage in brushing to manipulate product visibility and sales on e-commerce platforms. By sending unsolicited packages and posting fake, verified reviews, they aim to boost their product’s ratings and credibility. Higher ratings and a greater volume of positive reviews can increase a product’s search ranking and appeal to genuine buyers. This increased visibility and perceived trustworthiness ultimately leads to more legitimate sales for the scammer.
The cost of shipping these inexpensive items is a small investment compared to the potential financial gain from improved product rankings and increased sales. The packages themselves are a logistical step to generate the “verified purchase” status required to post a seemingly authentic review. This deceptive practice exploits the review systems of online marketplaces, making it harder for consumers to discern genuine product quality.
What to Do if You Receive an Unordered Package
If you receive an unordered package, you are not obligated to pay for the item. Federal law dictates that unordered merchandise can be treated as a gift. You have the legal right to keep, use, or dispose of the item, with no obligation to return it or pay any invoices.
Notify the retailer or e-commerce platform from which the package originated. Many platforms have procedures for reporting unsolicited packages, as brushing scams violate their terms of service. Avoid consuming perishable items or using products that seem suspicious or unsafe.
Monitor your personal accounts for unusual activity and update passwords for online shopping accounts, as your personal information may have been exposed.