‘Brushing’ is a Money Stealing Scam That’s Literally Delivered to Your Doorstep

(Tyler, Texas) - This has probably happened to you before...you get home from work and see a package at your front door. Things is, you didn't order anything. It's got your address on it and a return label so it looks legit.

As cool as this unexpected package is, it's probably the work of a scammer. It's a clever scam the United States Postal Service (USPS) calls "brushing" and it's a popular one for thieves to use. Learn about this tricky scam that any of us could easily fall for.

Scam Warning from United States Postal Service

You bring this unexpected package inside and open it. It has your name on it. It feels like it has some kind of product inside. You think to yourself, "Did I order something and forget about it?"

Inside you find, let's say, a ring. The ring looks gorgeous and fits at least one finger. Inside the package is a card with a company name on it and a second card with a QR code. This is where the scam can easily trick you.

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How the Scam is Carried Out

First part of this scam is using your address to write a fake positive review about the product. It's easy for these third party companies to find your address to write these "reviews."

The second part of the scam is the card with the QR code. Do Not scan that code. It is designed to take you to a website where that company can steal more of your personal information or even your banking information.

What to Do with the Unexpected Package

There are several ways to handle this, all of which are good:

• Don't pay for the product sent to you.
• Return the product to the sender if there is a return address. If there's no return address, this should be your first warning that it's a scam.
• Throw it away.
• Keep it. By law, if you were sent the product and didn't order it, you don't have to pay for it to keep it.
• Change your account passwords just to be safe.
• Monitor your credit report and your credit card bills.
• Notify authorities if the product is organic like seeds or a plant.
• Contact the retailer. If the product came from Amazon or eBay or another online seller, let them know that you got an unsolicited product from them and to remove your name from any review section for the product.

The USPS has a whole page dedicated to the brushing scam. Get all the details at uspis.gov. You can also watch the video below to learn more about the scam.

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