Received a parcel you didn’t order? It could be brushing fraud

A parcel arrives on your doorstep. It has your name and address on it, but you don’t remember ordering anything.

So you open it.

Inside are a few packets of seeds. You assume it’s been sent by mistake, put it to one side and forget about it.

What you don’t know is that you’ve been caught up in ‘brushing fraud’.

What is brushing fraud?

Brushing fraud is a scam used by some online sellers to boost their ratings and reviews.

Here’s how it works:

1. A seller creates fake customer accounts on shopping sites like Amazon or eBay.
2. They use real names and addresses, which are often taken from publicly available information or data leaks.
3. The seller ‘buys’ their own product using the fake account and sends it to a real person.
4. The fake account then leaves a glowing five-star review for the item.

Because the review comes from a verified purchase, it appears genuine. This improves the seller’s ratings and can increase their sales.

Brushing fraud usually involves low-cost items such as:

• cheap jewellery
• candles
• small electronics
• seeds

Is it dangerous?

Brushing fraud is more about fake marketing than stealing your money. However, it is against the rules of online marketplaces.

More importantly, it could mean your personal details are available to scammers, possibly due to a past data breach.

What should you do if you receive something you didn’t order?

If a parcel arrives unexpectedly:

• Report it to the platform it was sent from so they can investigate.
• If you see a fake review in your name, report that too.
• Check your bank accounts and online accounts for any suspicious activity.
• Change your passwords, especially for shopping accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
• Do not use the item. It may be low quality or even unsafe. For example, toys may not meet safety standards, and cosmetics or perfumes could contain harmful ingredients.

Consumer group Which? recommends notifying the online marketplace as soon as possible.

An unexpected parcel might seem harmless but it could be a sign your personal details are being misused.

If something arrives that you didn’t order, don’t ignore it. Report it, secure your accounts and stay alert.

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