A creepy new scam seems to be on the rise, with people reportedly receiving mysterious parcels they haven’t ordered.
The scam, which has been dubbed ‘brushing‘, sees a person receive a package in the post, containing random, valueless items such as ripped fabrics, garbage or even stuffed toys.
Of course, the recipient hasn’t actually ordered the items, but they’re being delivered to real addresses, with correct names, nevertheless.
So how does it work?
What is a brushing scam
Well, it’s reported that the parcels contain QR codes that take recipients to fraudulent websites. The hope is that those receiving the deliveries will scan the code simply out of confusion.
One person who received a ‘brushing’ parcel in Sydney, Australia explained they were ‘freaked out’ after opening the delivery.
“I wasn’t sure what it was as I wasn’t expecting anything,” they wrote online (via The New York Post).
“Does anyone know if this is something I need to report or what it could potentially be or why this has happened? Freaking out!”
Meanwhile, another added: “I had the same delivered to me this morning! It was like socks but with holes in them. So weird!”
And a third wrote on Reddit: “I just had a parcel sent to my previous address (I moved 6 months ago). Drove there to pick it up, opened it and found… rags. Dirty, dusty rags.
“Like someone has cut up baby/kid clothing, stained and with mouldy bits, put it into a box and posted it to my old apartment.”
Over in the UK, Staffordshire Police have explained that the scam can also be used so that sellers can write positive reviews about their products.
Earlier this year, they warned: “Brushing scams typically work like this: The scammer obtains a person’s name and address. This can be through data breaches, public directories, or even social media.
“They then use these details to create fake accounts on e-commerce platforms where they sell their own products.
“They place orders for their own products, using these fake accounts. They pay for the orders themselves, often using either stolen card details or other illegal means.
“In order to make the scam appear legitimate, the scammer ships the product to the unsuspecting recipient.
“After the packages have been delivered, the scammer then writes positive reviews on their own seller accounts, using the recipient’s name. This helps to boost their ratings and increase their visibility on the platform, in the hope of bringing about genuine sales.”
What should I do if I’ve been sent a ‘brush scam’
If you receive a parcel you didn’t order, it’s important to report it to the company (if there is one associated with the delivery) and never follow any links or QR codes.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on your bank accounts for any unusual activity. One retailer, Amazon, has issued a warning on their site about the scams in the past.
“When a customer receives a package they didn’t order, it may be a scam sometimes called ‘brushing’,” the retailer explains. “‘Brushing’ scams occur when bad actors send packages to publicly available names and addresses.
“If you receive a package that you didn’t order, confirm it’s not a gift to you. Check with friends and family, use the self-service form to report it to our investigations team.”
