The New York State Division of Consumer Protection urges all New Yorkers to be aware of Brushing Scams.
A press release from the Division of Consumer Protection advises that these scams have been happening throughout the country; consumers receive a package in the mail that they did not order.
Brushing scams target recipients and turn them into ‘verified buyers’ to steal their identity and write fake positive reviews for online merchandise. Fake reviews help to boost the products’ ratings and ultimately increase sales.
How the Scam Works:
A person receives a package(s) containing items they did not order or request. While the package is addressed to the recipient, there is no return address, or the return address could be that of a retailer. The sender of the item is usually an international, third-party seller who has found the recipient’s address online.
Successful delivery of the item then turns the recipient into a verified buyer on online marketplaces. The scammer uses the verified buyer’s information to post a false positive review of a product online and boost the 5-star ratings of the product, encouraging legitimate shoppers that the product advertised has received more positive ratings than it has. Since the merchandise received is another product that is cheaper to ship, the scammers perceive this as a profitable pay-off.
A good rating can boost sales, and sellers know how important a good review can push ratings for their products. These brushing scams often attempt to create fake credibility reviews online.
To avoid being victims of brushing scams, the New York State Division of Consumer Protection offers the following tips:
- You don’t have to pay for it. Federal law may allow recipients to keep items they received but did not order. Recipients are under no obligation to pay for unsolicited merchandise and can consider it a gift. If you don’t want the item, you can donate it or dispose of it and do not have to return it.
- Report it. If the item received is organic (seeds, plants, or food), report it to the USDA. One should not plan unsolicited seeds or plants as they may be invasive plants, noxious weeds, or carry diseases that could cause damage to economically important crops. One may send seeds to the address below for destruction:
Office of the State Plant Health Director of New York
c/o Christopher Zaloga
500 New Karner Road
Albany, New York 12205.
Please ensure the seed package is sealed tightly and mail the seeds, the original packaging, your contact information, and any additional details.
- Notify the retailer. If the package received is from a third-party retailer like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, or WISH, report it to them and ask them to remove any reviews under your name.
- Monitor your accounts. Your personal information may have been compromised. Often scammers obtain personal information through nefarious means and with ill-intentions and use it for several scams and other illicit activities in the future. Examine your online shopping accounts and credit card bills for signs of unusual activity and check your credit report. Consumers can currently obtain free credit reports weekly through April 20, 2022. Request yours at www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Change your password. If you have an account with the retailer identified on the package, change your account password with the retailer.
This information was brought to you by the New York State Division of Consumer Protection.
