Surprises can be fun, and it's likely that a fair number of us have been handed a package from UPS or Amazon but couldn't remember what we'd ordered. If you're still perplexed when you open the box and view the contents, your memory might not be what's at fault.
If nothing else, criminals who operate on the internet are creative. With fewer people than ever willing to believe that a Nigerian prince is going to make them wealthy beyond their wildest dreams, scammers have to pivot in new directions to bilk victims. Everyone likes getting something for free, right? That's what scammers are counting on with one of their newest cons.
It's Not Your Birthday, but Here's a Present Anyway
The emergence of the internet and online shopping has altered the world in a way few could have predicted. Companies like Amazon and Temu offer low prices and deliveries brought right to the customer's door, adding a modicum of convenience in an increasingly frenetic world.
There are other ways for online shopping to incur a cost that has nothing to do with the listed retail price. Having delivered packages stolen from porches has become an issue that shows no sign of going away, as has the rise of counterfeit products that range from clothing to board games being sold through online commerce sites. Getting a pair of bogus Lululemon pants is bad enough, but it pales when compared to being impersonated — or worse.
Known as "brushing," the scam can work in different ways to cause injury to its victims. Third-party sellers, often counterfeiters trying to gain buzz about their product, will create fake accounts on internet selling platforms using names and addresses they've obtained online. Using these false credentials, they'll give five-star ratings with tremendously positive comments for the items they sell.
Doing so is identity theft, but it can be extremely difficult to catch and prosecute the perpetrators. Given the anonymity offered by the internet, most will shut down and reopen under a different name and web address.
It can also result in reputational damage to the legitimate creator of the product that the scammers are knocking off. A customer who isn't aware that they purchased an item produced by a third-party vendor is likely to direct their ire over the shoddiness and lack of quality at the blameless original manufacturer. This fraudulent misrepresentation can lead to headaches, legal battles, and public relations nightmares.
On Second Thought, Let's Check the Mouth on That Gift Horse
Names and addresses farmed from the internet also provide another avenue for scammers engaging in brushing. An unexpected delivery shows up at a victim's residence. Inside will be a low-cost item, such as a sponge or an inexpensive snack. While there's a chance the recipient will shrug and use the gift without another thought, confusion and curiosity will often lead to an investigation to determine the item's origin. This is what brushing scammers are hoping for.
Victims who check their order history for the platform the item was sent through won't find an answer there. The scammers will include a piece of paper in the packaging that will have a "helpful" quick response (QR) code that promises to solve the mystery of the product's origin.
As you might have guessed, that's not what will happen if you scan it. In a brushing scam, the QR code will take you to a website set up by the scammers. A variety of things can happen there, almost all of them bad for the victim. It may attempt to download malware that can give the scammers access. The site may be designed to ask questions under the guise of helping, but in reality it's trying to steal personal data and sensitive information instead.
If It Sounds Too Good To Be True ...
On the internet, an unexpected gift has a better chance of being part of a scam than proof you have a secret admirer. If something shows up that you definitely didn't order, don't scan any QR codes or provide any personal information. You're not required to return the item (and any links provided are likely dangerous as well), but if you don't want it, either donate it or throw it away.
If you think you've been targeted by brushing scammers, take a moment to check your online shopping accounts to make sure you haven't been compromised. Do the same with your credit cards, debit cards, and financial accounts. You can also report the package to the inspectors at the U.S. Postal Service or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Free samples at the local bakery are safe and delicious. Free samples from the internet can end up leaving a bitter aftertaste instead. Be wary and give scammers the brush-off.
Related Resources
- Tips for Safe Online Shopping (FindLaw's Legal Guide to Online Transactions)
- Identity Theft (FindLaw's Criminal Charges)
- Online Scams and Consumer Laws (FindLaw's Consumer Protection Law)
