TL;DR: A brushing scam is when a seller ships you unordered items (often cheap goods) using your address without your knowledge, then posts a fake verified review under your name to boost their product's ratings. Check your accounts on the marketplace the package came from for orders you didn't place, report it to the platform, and check whether your name and address may be exposed elsewhere online.
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A brushing scam is when a seller ships you unordered items (often cheap goods) using your address without your knowledge, then posts a fake verified review under your name to boost their product's ratings.
How Brushing Scams Works
Scammers obtain your name and address (often from a data breach or public listing) and use it to place a fake order on a marketplace, paying for it themselves. Once "delivered," they can post a verified purchase review to make their listing look more credible.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Unordered packages arriving at your address, packages addressed to you from sellers you've never heard of, and unexplained charges you don't recognize (rare, but worth checking).
How to Protect Yourself
Check your accounts on the marketplace the package came from for orders you didn't place, report it to the platform, and check whether your name and address may be exposed elsewhere online.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading What Is Business Email Compromise? How It Works and How to Protect Yourself.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see What Is Caller ID Spoofing? How It Works and How to Protect Yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brushing Scams?
A brushing scam is when a seller ships you unordered items (often cheap goods) using your address without your knowledge, then posts a fake verified review under your name to boost their product's ratings.
How does Brushing Scams typically work?
Scammers obtain your name and address (often from a data breach or public listing) and use it to place a fake order on a marketplace, paying for it themselves. Once "delivered," they can post a verified purchase review to make their listing look more credible.
What are the warning signs of Brushing Scams?
Unordered packages arriving at your address, packages addressed to you from sellers you've never heard of, and unexplained charges you don't recognize (rare, but worth checking).
How can I protect myself from Brushing Scams?
Check your accounts on the marketplace the package came from for orders you didn't place, report it to the platform, and check whether your name and address may be exposed elsewhere online.
What should I do if I think I’ve encountered Brushing Scams?
Stop responding immediately, do not click any links or share information, and report it to the appropriate authority. If money or personal information was already shared, act quickly to secure your accounts and report the incident.