How to spot a brushing scam

Have you ever received a package you didn't order? It might seem like a nice surprise, but it could be part of a ‘brushing scam’.

These sneaky tricks are becoming more common across the UK, and it's important to know how to spot them. This guide will help you understand brushing scams and protect yourself from becoming a victim.

What is a brushing scam?

A brushing scam happens when someone sends you products you didn’t order or pay for. The scammer uses your name and address to create fake customer reviews on shopping websites. They send you cheap items to make it look like real customers bought and received products.

The scammer doesn't want your money directly. Instead, they want to boost their seller ratings online by creating fake positive reviews. This helps them sell more products to other people.

How do brushing scams work?

Brushing scams follow a simple pattern:

Step 1: The scammer gets your name and address from data breaches or public records.

Step 2: They set up fake seller accounts on shopping websites like Amazon or eBay.

Step 3: The scammer ‘sells’ cheap products to your address using fake customer accounts, which are sent to you creating a delivery record.

Step 4: The scammer writes fake positive reviews using your name and address as proof of purchase.

Step 5: These fake reviews help boost their seller ratings, so real customers see the good reviews and buy expensive products from the scammer.

How do scammers get my name and address for a brushing scam?

Scammers collect your personal details in several ways:

• Data breaches happen when hackers steal information from companies. Your details might then be sold online.
• Public records like the open register can be bought legally. Some companies sell this information to marketing firms.
• Social media posts often contain clues about where you live. Scammers can piece together information from different posts.
• Previous purchases from dodgy websites might have sold your details to other scammers.
• Loyalty cards and competitions sometimes share your information with third parties.
• Mail theft can give scammers access to letters with your personal details.

What are the impacts of brushing scams?

These scams might seem harmless, but they can cause real problems:

• Identity theft risks increase when scammers have your personal information. They might use your details for other scams.
• Fake reviews mislead other shoppers who think they're reading honest opinions. This hurts honest businesses and tricks customers into buying poor products.
• Unwanted deliveries can be annoying, especially if you're expecting important packages.
• Privacy concerns arise because strangers know where you live and might have more of your personal information.
• Stolen card details can also be used by fraudsters to make the fake purchases.

Your credit score normally stays safe because scammers don't usually access your financial accounts.

However, you should still check your bank statements and credit report regularly. This can help to highlight any unknown transactions or changes which could otherwise go unnoticed.

Types of brushing scam

Brushing scams come in different forms:

• Classic brushing involves sending cheap physical products to your address.
• Digital brushing sends digital products like e-books or software downloads to email addresses.
• Subscription brushing signs you up for free trials that turn into paid subscriptions.
• Gift card brushing involves fake purchases of digital gift cards using your details.
• Service brushing creates fake bookings for services like cleaning or delivery.

What is a brushing scam on Amazon?

Amazon brushing scams work like others, but target the world's biggest shopping website. Scammers create fake Amazon seller accounts and send you cheap products you didn't order.

They use your name and address to write fake positive reviews for their products. These reviews help their products appear higher in Amazon's search results.

Amazon has rules against fake reviews, but scammers keep finding new ways around them. The company removes fake reviews when they find them, but this takes time.

If you receive unexpected Amazon packages, check your Amazon account. Look for orders you didn't make or reviews posted under your name.

What are the signs of a brushing scam?

Watch out for these warning signs:

• Unexpected packages arrive at your door with your name but no return address.
• No invoice or receipt comes with the package, or the paperwork looks suspicious.
• Reviews appear online using your name for products you never bought.

How to prevent brushing scams

We spoke to our in-house fraud expert, Siobhan Blagbrough, about how to protect yourself from a brushing scam. Here are her top tips:

• Keep your personal information private on social media. Don't post photos showing your address or location.
• Be careful with competitions and surveys that ask for your personal details. Only enter competitions from trusted companies.
• Check your bank statements and credit reports regularly for any unusual activity or accounts you didn't open.
• Opt out of publicly available sources of information like the open electoral roll. This prevents companies from buying your personal details.
• Use strong, unique passwords for all your online shopping accounts.
• Be cautious with unknown websites when shopping online. Stick to well-known retailers when possible.
• Don't click suspicious links in emails claiming to be from delivery companies.
• Check all deliveries you receive. Brushing scammers may be more active at the times of year you’re likely to be receiving more parcels.
• Monitor your online accounts regularly for any reviews or activity you didn't create.

How to report brushing scams

If you think you're a victim of a brushing scam, take these steps:

• Keep all evidence including packaging, delivery notes, and photos of the items you received.
• Contact the retailer immediately. If packages came through Amazon, eBay, or another major retailer, report the issue through their customer service.
• Don't throw away the items until you've reported the scam. The police might need them as evidence.

• Report to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting centre. You can report online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

• Tell your local trading standards office about the scam. They can investigate and warn other local residents.
• Contact Royal Mail if the packages came through their delivery service. They can help track down the sender.
• Report to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you think your personal data has been misused. They help protect personal data in the UK. Visit www.ico.org.uk to make a report.
• Check your online accounts for fake reviews or purchases you didn't make and ask the websites to remove them.

Stay safe and informed

Brushing scams are sneaky, but knowledge is your best defence. By understanding how these scams work, you can spot the warning signs and protect yourself.

Remember, receiving unexpected packages isn't always innocent. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and report anything suspicious.

Stay alert, keep your personal information safe, and don't let scammers use your good name to trick other people.