"Davve Garzaz" Brushing Scam Empty Package

The Empty Package

What is a Brushing Scam?

A brushing scam is where you receive an unsolicited or unordered package in the mail that may be empty, or have a cheap merchandise in it. The sender will send it to you and use your name to write fake reviews of the same merchandise or some other product.

The QR code inside the box with the merchandise, which asks you to scan to find out more information, may take you to a fake survey or phishing website that asks you for your personal information. If you submit the requested information, it will be sent to scammers who will use it to target you.

How to Protect Yourself

USPS confirms this type of scam has been reported nationwide. Below are some tips on how to proceed if this happens to you.

• Don’t pay for the merchandise: Do not be swindled or talked into paying for it.
• Return to sender: If marked with a return address, and it is UNOPENED, you may mark it “RETURN TO SENDER” and USPS will return it at no charge to you.
• Throw it away: If you opened it, and do not wish to keep it, you may simply dispose of it in the garbage, as long as it is safe to do so.
• Keep it: If you opened it and you like it, you may keep it. By law, you may keep unsolicited merchandise and are under no obligation to pay for it.
• Change your account passwords: Your personal information may have been compromised.
• Closely monitor: Closely monitor your credit reports and credit card bills.
• Notify authorities: If the merchandise is organic (i.e., seeds, food, plants) or an unknown liquid or substance, notify the proper authorities and follow their instructions.
• Suspicious contents: If you are wary of the contents inside an unsolicited package, please follow the instructions on our SUSPICIOUS MAIL page.
• Notify the retailer: If unsolicited merchandise arrives from Amazon, eBay, or another third-party seller, go to that company’s website and file a fraud report. Ask the company to remove any fake reviews under your name.