The Brushing Scam: What it is and How to Protect Yourself

In recent years, many people have received unsolicited packages from Amazon, containing items they didn’t order. While receiving a surprise package in the mail might sound like a pleasant surprise, it’s actually a sign of a new type of scam known as a brushing scam. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what brushing scams are, how they work, and how you can protect yourself from falling victim to them.

What is a Brushing Scam?

A brushing scam is a type of scam where a seller sends unordered merchandise to a consumer, then posts a positive review of their own product using the consumer’s name. The goal of the scam is to boost the seller’s ratings on sites like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba. By posting fake positive reviews, the seller can improve their reputation and attract more customers.

While the scammer may seem to be acting out of the goodness of their heart by sending free products, they are actually using the consumer’s name and address to create fake reviews. The scammer can obtain the consumer’s personal information through a variety of means, including hacking into a retailer’s customer database or buying lists of customer information from third-party sellers.

How Does the Scam Work?

The brushing scam works like this: a consumer receives a package in the mail containing items they did not order. The package will usually come from a foreign country, such as China. Inside the package, there will be a small item like a cheap phone case or toy, with a note encouraging the recipient to write a positive review of the product on Amazon or another e-commerce site.

By sending unordered merchandise to the consumer, the scammer is able to create a fake review for the product under the recipient’s name. The fake review will boost the seller’s rating, making their product appear more popular and attractive to potential customers.

The Impacts of Brushing Scams

While brushing scams may seem like a minor annoyance, they can have serious impacts on consumers. In addition to the privacy concerns associated with having personal information stolen and used without consent, consumers can also suffer financial harm if the scammer decides to use their credit card information for fraudulent purchases.

Furthermore, the fake reviews generated by brushing scams can be misleading for consumers looking to purchase products online. If a product has a high rating due to fake reviews, customers may be more likely to buy it, only to find out that it doesn’t live up to their expectations.

How to Protect Yourself

There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from brushing scams:

1. Check your credit card statements regularly for any unauthorized charges. If you notice any suspicious activity, report it to your bank or credit card company immediately.
2. Change your passwords regularly and use strong, unique passwords for each online account.
3. Be wary of unsolicited packages that arrive in the mail. If you receive a package you didn’t order, do not open it and contact the retailer or shipping company to report the issue.
4. Check the reviews of a product before making a purchase, but be wary of products with only positive reviews. Look for products with a mix of positive and negative reviews, and read the reviews carefully to determine if they are genuine.
5. Use a spam filter to block unsolicited emails and messages from unknown senders.

Brushing scams are a new and evolving threat in the world of online shopping. By sending unordered merchandise to consumers and using their personal information to create fake reviews, scammers are able to boost their ratings and attract more customers. However, with some basic precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.