Unsolicited parcels? It could be a brushing scam

Have you ever received a parcel you didn’t order? Recently, we were contacted by a consumer who had received several parcels from Amazon that he hadn’t ordered, and he didn’t know what to do. We discovered that it was most likely that he has been the victim of a brushing scam.  

What is a brushing scam?

A brushing scam occurs when sellers, often based overseas, send unwanted items to people and then post fake positive reviews about the items in their name. These reviews boost the seller’s ratings on online marketplaces, making their products appear more trustworthy than they really are.

While this scam has been widely reported in the United States, it’s increasingly becoming a global issue, and Islanders are not immune.

Why should you be concerned?

Even though you didn’t pay for the item, brushing scams can still pose risks:

Your personal data may have been compromised. Scammers need your name and address to send the item, raising concerns about how they got your details.

It could be part of a wider fraud. If they have more than just your address, they might try to access your accounts or commit identity theft.

It distorts online marketplaces. Fake reviews make it harder for genuine businesses to compete and for consumers to make informed choices.

What should you do if you receive packages you didn't order?

• Double check with neighbours first, it might be a genuine mistake.

• Don’t pay for it if you didn’t order it – you’re under no obligation to pay or return it.

• Don’t leave a review. Even if the item is decent, leaving a review helps the scammer.

• Report it. If it is an Amazon package, you must report it to them here: Report Unsolicited Packages or Brushing Scams - Amazon Customer Service

Contact the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner (JOIC) if you’re concerned about your personal data.

You can also notify the Jersey Cyber Security Centre for information about scams by emailing hello@jcsc.je or calling 500050

Always notify the States of Jersey Police on 612612 if you feel you have been a victim of a scam.

Check your accounts. Make sure your online shopping accounts haven’t been compromised. Change your passwords if in doubt.

Dispose of the item responsibly if you don’t want it or consider donating it to a local charity shop.

How can you protect yourself?

To protect your personal information online, always be cautious with your data and only share your address with trusted retailers.

Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.

Stay organised by keeping track of your orders, and if you receive something unexpected, make sure to note the sender and the contents carefully.

Regularly check your bank statements to ensure that every transaction listed was made by the account holders and report any discrepancies immediately.

Brushing scams may seem minor, but they’re part of a larger web of online deception.

By staying alert and reporting suspicious activity, we can help protect ourselves, and each other.