Received an Unexpected Package? You Could Potentially Be a Brushing Scam Victim — Retail Bum

Have you ever found yourself unexpectedly receiving a package in the mail that you never placed an order for? While it may initially seem like a pleasant surprise, you should remain cautious about it as you could be a victim of a brushing scam.

The deceptive practice is not a new phenomenon. Some might remember the instances during the pandemic when people were mysteriously receiving unsolicited packages of random seeds. These incidents are connected to a relatively new type of scam and should serve as a red flag indicating that your personal information might have been compromised.

What are Brushing Scams?

The term “brushing” refers to the practice of sending unsolicited packages to unsuspecting individuals, often containing low-value or even completely random items. Oftentimes, the sender of the mysterious package is an international or third-party seller who will find the recipient’s address online using illegitimate means and use their names to write fake reviews. They intend to create a false impression that the receiver is a verified buyer who has posted a positive review for the product.

In other words, the motive behind these mysterious deliveries is not generosity but a calculated effort…