Brushing Scams: How It Can Harm You, and What to Do If You’re Involved

TrainMyParent.com
Apr 14
3 min read

Updated: Oct 9

Mail-order packages on a doorstep. — Ooooh! Unexpected Packages!

In the age of online shopping, convenience often comes with hidden risks. One such risk is a shady practice called brushing. Though it might seem harmless, such as receiving a free item in the mail, brushing scams can be a red flag that identifies deeper privacy or fraud issues.

Here’s a breakdown of what brushing is, why it’s a problem, and what you should do if it happens to you.

What is Brushing?

Brushing is a deceptive tactic used by some online sellers to boost their ratings and to create many product reviews on shopping platforms, such as Amazon, eBay, or other online marketplaces. Here’s how it works:

A seller creates a fake customer account using someone else’s name and address.
They use that account to "buy" their own product and ship it to a "real person" (the unsuspecting recipient).
Once the item is delivered to the recipient, the seller posts a fake "5-star" review, using the fake account to improve their product’s rating and visibility.
The "real person" receiving the package didn't order anything, but it shows up on their doorstep anyway. Often, the recipient is confused about why they received the package, and wastes time trying to return it or find the correct recipient, all for naught.

Why Brushing Can Be a Problem

At first glance, getting a free item might seem like a lucky break. But brushing is a red flag that your personal data may have been exposed or misused. Here’s why you should be concerned:

1. Your Personal Information May Be Compromised: Even though you didn’t place the order, your name, address, and possibly phone number were used. This suggests that your data is circulating without your consent, perhaps from a data breach, leaked mailing list, or hacked account. Or, it just might be sheer luck that they found you.

2. It Skews Online Marketplace Integrity: Brushing artificially inflates product ratings, misleading genuine customers. It creates an unfair marketplace where untrustworthy products can appear more legitimate and preferred than they actually are.

3. It May Be a Sign of Larger Fraud: While brushing itself doesn’t usually cost you money, it could be a precursor to more serious identity theft. If someone has your basic info, they might try to access your online accounts, open new accounts in your name, or use it in phishing attempts.

What to Do If You Receive a Brushing Package

If you receive a package you didn’t order, here’s how to handle it:

A. If Asked, Don’t Pay for It: Legally, you are not required to return or pay for unordered merchandise. It is yours to keep! But, that doesn't mean you should ignore it.

B. Report the Incident: Report the brushing incident to the platform where the item appears to be from (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Walmart, etc.). Most large e-commerce companies have dedicated pages for reporting fraud like this.

C. Change Your Passwords: Since your personal info may have been compromised on the e-commecer site where the package came from, it’s wise to change your password. Remember to always use strong, unique passwords for each website you visit.

D. Monitor Your Accounts: Although you should already be doing these steps, you should keep a close eye on your credit report, bank statements, and other accounts, looking for any unexpected account activity. You may also consider placing a fraud alert or freeze on your credit with the major credit bureaus if you find unauthorized activity.

E. Report the Brushing Scam to Authorities: You can report brushing scams to:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Your local Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Your local postal inspector, if the item came through the U.S. Postal Service

A woman happily skateboarding with a loaded shopping cart.

Although technically brushing is not a scam that tries to steal your personal information, it still can show that you are at risk. Brushing may seem like a strange, or even amusing quirk of online shopping, but it’s often a signal that your information isn’t as private as it should be. Taking quick action can help prevent more serious issues down the line.

If you receive a mystery package you didn’t order, don’t brush it off! (Sorry for the pun...we couldn't resist lol).

Learn how you can protect yourself or your family by enrolling in the Complete Internet Security Basics and Phishing Awareness Course for Parents on TrainMyParent.com

Interested in these posts? Sign up and subscribe to our newsletter!