Mon, Feb 28th 2022 12:30 pm
Beware of receiving packages you did not order
√ No, these deliveries are not free gifts, but a way to use your identity for financial gain
√ Protect your personal information as some online sellers are pitching products to get false reviews
Submitted by the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) warned about a scam that is becoming popular all over the country in which consumers receive a package they didn’t order in the mail. This practice, also known as a brushing scam, targets a recipient and turns them into a “verified buyer” upon delivery for the purpose of writing fake positive online reviews of merchandise in the recipient’s name. These fake reviews fraudulently boost or inflate the products’ ratings and sales numbers, which scammers hope results in an increase of actual sales, and they also compromise your personal information with this illicit practice.
“Online shopping and frequent deliveries offer scammers the opportunity to use your personal information for unscrupulous purposes,” Acting Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said. “Receiving packages you did not order at your front steps does not mean it is your lucky day, but most likely, it is coming from someone using your personal information for their financial gain. Don’t fall for the brushing scams that are using you as a bait to boost their online ratings with fake information.”
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