Understanding the Brushing Scam: Protect Yourself from Online Fraud

If unsolicited merchandise arrives at your doorstep with no idea how it got there, you may be the victim of a brushing scam. While these scams may seem harmless at first—just some “free stuff” you didn’t order—don’t be fooled.

Brushing scams can lead to serious problems, such as identity theft, fraudulent reviews, and compromised accounts. Let’s dive into the details and see how you can avoid falling for these illicit activities!

What is a Brushing Scam?

A brushing scam is a form of fraud where scammers obtain personal information and send unsolicited merchandise to a person’s address. The goal? To make it look like a verified buyer purchased the product and left a positive online review.

Of course, this is all part of a larger scam aimed at boosting the sales numbers of third-party sellers who are willing to engage in nefarious means for a profitable payoff.

When the person receives packages they didn’t order, they are unknowingly used as pawns in a game to fraudulently boost products’ ratings and reviews.

These fake reviews trick other consumers into believing that the product is worth purchasing, even though they have no idea about the actual sales or the legitimacy of the review.

Scammers often hope that their “positive online reviews” will create a sense of trust for potential buyers, thus making them more likely to purchase products from shady sellers.

The Mechanics Behind Brushing Scams

Scammers can easily obtain your name, address, and other personal details through such illicit activities, often sourced from social media profiles or compromised websites. Once they have this information, they can send unsolicited packages, usually full of worthless stuff, straight to your door.

The merchandise they send might seem like harmless gifts at first, but in reality, it’s part of their scheme to fraudulently boost the product's online ratings. This is done in the hope of triggering further sales through fake reviews.

Signs of a Brushing Scam

If you’re wondering whether you’ve fallen victim to a brushing scam, here are some common signs to look out for:

• Unsolicited package: You receive an unsolicited package or merchandise that you didn’t order.
• Unknown sender: The package is from a third-party seller or a company you’ve never heard of.
• No return address: The package has no return address or a return address that is not your own.
• Unfamiliar tracking number: You receive a tracking number that is not associated with your account.
• Suspicious financial activity: You notice suspicious activity on your credit card bills or credit reports.
• Seemingly harmless free items: You receive a package with seemingly harmless free items but with no clear indication of who sent them or why.

Recognizing these signs early can help you take swift action to protect your personal information and prevent further scams.

Risks of Brushing Scams

Below are the key dangers of brushing scams:

Personal Data Exposure

Brushing scams indicate that your personal information, such as your name, address, and possibly even phone number, has been compromised. This information is often obtained through:

• Data breaches;
• Leaked customer lists from online stores;
• Publicly available databases.

Fraudulent Use of Your Identity

Scammers may be using your name and address to:

• Create fake customer accounts on e-commerce sites;
• Write fake reviews under your name, falsely portraying you as someone who has written positive online reviews;
• Commit identity fraud.

Potential for Unauthorized Transactions

While brushing scams don’t usually involve direct financial fraud, they indicate that scammers have some of your personal details. This raises concerns about:

• Compromised payment information (if the scam is linked to an actual account you own;
• Future phishing attempts where they try to trick you into giving more sensitive details;
• Credential stuffing attacks, where hackers try your email and password on multiple sites.

Increase in Spam and Scam Attempts

Once scammers have confirmed that your recipient's address online is valid and active, they may:

• Sell your details to other fraudsters;
• Send more fake packages;
• Use your address for additional scams (e.g., fake job offers, sweepstakes scams).

Reputation Damage

If scammers use your identity to write fake reviews, your online reputation may be affected. This can cause:

• Negative association with fraudulent businesses;
• Bans from e-commerce platforms;
• Difficulty in resolving disputes if sellers falsely claim you ordered their product.

Legal and Financial Risks

Although brushing scams don’t directly involve stealing money, they could have legal implications, especially if:

• The items sent to you are stolen goods;
• The scam is linked to money laundering;
• The scammer tries to claim you made a purchase, leading to fraudulent charges.

Product Safety Concerns

Some items sent in brushing scams may be:

• Unsafe (expired food, counterfeit products, electronic items with faulty wiring);
• Potentially hazardous (chemical-based items, beauty products that can cause skin reactions);
• Poor quality or not meeting regulatory standards (especially electronics or supplements).

Encouraging Fake Reviews and Fraudulent Businesses

Brushing scams inflate seller rankings and make bad products look reputable, leading to:

• Misleading reviews that deceive genuine buyers;
• Unfair competition makes it harder for legitimate businesses;
• Poor customer experiences when real buyers receive low-quality products.

How to Protect Yourself from Brushing Scams

Here's everything you should do to keep your personal information safe.

Check Your Account Information Regularly

Make sure to monitor your credit card bills and credit reports for any suspicious charges or activities that you did not authorize. If you're not careful, these charges could add up, leaving you with a hefty bill and a lot of headaches.

Notify Authorities

If you receive unsolicited merchandise or suspect you're a victim of a brushing scam, it's crucial to notify the proper authorities. You should file a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or local consumer protection agencies.

Dispose of Unsolicited Merchandise Carefully

Sometimes, you might be tempted to hold on to the unsolicited package because, hey, it’s "free stuff!"

However, it's important to consider the suspicious contents inside—especially if you notice items with no return address or items that look like they could be part of illicit activities. Simply dispose of any unsolicited merchandise that you have no use for.

Protect Your Personal Information Online

To ensure your personal information stays safe, consider using a VPN like Mysterium VPN. This tool helps keep your browsing activities private and shields your sensitive data from being accessed by scammers.

Keep an Eye on Your Email

Sometimes, scammers perceive email as a low-cost way to target potential victims. Make sure to filter suspicious emails and avoid clicking on links from unknown sources, which could lead to malware or phishing attacks that compromise your account information.

Avoid Third-Party Sellers with Fake Reviews

When shopping online, always check product reviews carefully. Brushing scams often involve fake reviews, and a good way to spot them is by looking for overly glowing reviews from “verified buyers” who seem to have no real history with the product.

Reporting Brushing Scams

If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of a brushing scam, here are some steps you can take to report and prevent further scams:

• Contact the marketplace: Reach out to the marketplace or store where the package was sent from and report the issue.
• Discard or return the package: If the unsolicited package is not something you want or need, discard or return it.
• Don't pay: If a seller reaches out to you, don't pay for the package.
• Change account passwords: Update your account passwords and set up two-factor authentication to protect your accounts.
• Monitor financial accounts: Keep an eye on your bank and credit accounts for any suspicious activity.
• Freeze or lock credit report: Consider freezing or locking your credit report to prevent further scams.
• Dark web scan: Complete a dark web scan to see if your personal information is available on the dark web.
• Report to authorities: Report the fraud to the FTC and sign up for identity theft protection services.

Stay Alert and Protect Your Information

Brushing scams might seem like a victimless crime, but their impact can be far-reaching. By staying aware and taking simple precautions—like using a VPN, checking your accounts regularly, and reporting suspicious packages—you can safeguard your personal information and keep bad actors at bay.

So, next time you receive an unexpected package, think twice—it could be part of a brushing scam!

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