Washington: Authorities warn consumers about “brushing scams.” Scammers send low-value items or empty envelopes to confirm active addresses. They then post fake verified purchase reviews, according to U.S. consumer reports.
Scammers mostly operate through third-party sellers on Amazon, eBay, or Walmart Marketplace. They often use fake return addresses, such as “Davve Garzaz,” making tracking difficult.
Consumers who receive packages may already have their personal data exposed on the dark web or on data broker sites.
Officials advise recipients not to return unsolicited items unless the retailer directs them to do so. Returning packages confirms address activity. U.S. law allows consumers to keep unsolicited merchandise as a free gift.
Consumers should secure accounts immediately. Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and set transaction alerts for bank and credit cards.
They should also monitor credit by placing a fraud alert or a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Users can access their credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Authorities encourage consumers to report incidents to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker.
Consumers should also report branded items to the platform, such as Amazon. Discard or donate packages safely, but avoid using QR codes or the sender’s contact information.
Receiving one or two packages does not automatically indicate identity theft. However, authorities say such incidents signal the need for heightened cybersecurity.
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Experts describe brushing scams as increasingly common and part of broader e-commerce fraud trends.
