The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is alerting consumers to a growing scheme known as "brushing," where online sellers ship unsolicited packages to people's homes. While receiving a free item might seem like a harmless surprise, these packages are often part of a scam designed to create fake verified reviews or trick recipients into sharing personal information.
Brushing typically involves third-party sellers on major e-commerce platforms. They obtain addresses from public sources or data breaches and send cheap products—often small items like seeds, electronics accessories, or jewelry—to unsuspecting individuals. Once the package is delivered, the seller can post a "verified purchase" review under a fake name, boosting their product's ratings. In some cases, recipients are directed to scan a QR code or visit a website that harvests their personal data.
To protect yourself, the BBB recommends:
- Don't scan or open any links included with unsolicited packages.
- Check your online shopping accounts to see if the item was ordered without your knowledge.
- Report the incident to the retailer's customer service and to the BBB Scam Tracker.
- Never provide personal information in exchange for keeping the item.
- If the package contains a return address, consider returning it; otherwise, you may discard it.
If you receive a brush scam package, you are not obligated to pay for it or return it. The BBB advises alerting friends and family to this tactic, as scammers often target vulnerable individuals.