A brushing scam is an e‑commerce fraud where shady online sellers send you packages you never ordered so they can post fake “verified purchase” reviews in your name and boost their product rankings.

What is a brushing scam?

In a brushing scam, third‑party sellers on marketplaces (like large global e‑commerce sites) ship low‑value items to real addresses without the recipients ever placing an order. They then use your name and address to create fake buyer accounts, “buy” their own products, and leave glowing reviews that look legitimate because they’re tied to a real delivery.

These scams are called “brushing” because the seller is “brushing up” their ratings and sales numbers to appear more popular and trustworthy than they really are.

How the scam works (step by step)

  1. Scammers get your data
    They obtain your name, address and sometimes email/phone from data brokers, public records, or stolen data sold after breaches on the dark web.
  1. They create fake buyer accounts
    Using your details, they set up customer accounts on e‑commerce platforms as if they were you.
  1. They “buy” from themselves
    They list their own products, then place orders using the fake buyer accounts and ship the goods to your real address to make the orders look authentic.
  1. A mystery package shows up
    You receive a random parcel—often cheap items like trinkets, seeds, or low‑quality accessories—that you never ordered and never paid for.
  1. They post fake reviews in your name
    Once the platform shows the item as delivered, scammers leave 5‑star “verified purchase” reviews using the fake accounts tied to your identity.
  1. Their products climb rankings
    The fake reviews and fake sales push their products higher in search results and make them look popular and reliable, tricking real shoppers.

Why brushing scams are a problem

Even though you aren’t directly paying for the goods, brushing scams are still risky:

  • Your personal data has been exposed
    If you’re getting unsolicited packages, it means someone has your name and address and is actively using them.
  • Fake reviews mislead other shoppers
    The scam inflates ratings and can cause others to buy low‑quality or even unsafe products based on bogus “verified” feedback.
  • Potential account issues and fraud
    In some cases, if the fake accounts are linked or confused with your real profile on the same platform, your genuine account might be flagged or suspended during fraud investigations.

Your information could also be reused later for identity theft or other scams.

What you should do if you get a random package

If an unexpected parcel shows up and you suspect a brushing scam:

  • Do not pay for it
    For most jurisdictions, you are not required to pay for unordered merchandise that arrives at your home.
  • Check your accounts and recent orders
    Log in to your major shopping accounts and bank/credit card accounts to confirm there are no unknown orders or charges.
  • Change passwords and enable extra security
    Update passwords (use long, unique ones) and turn on two‑factor authentication on your main email, shopping, and financial accounts to reduce the risk of further misuse.

  • Report it
    You can:

    • Contact the e‑commerce platform’s support and report an unsolicited package linked to your details.
* Inform your local postal or consumer protection authority if they provide a channel for reporting brushing scams.
  • Be cautious with any enclosed materials
    Avoid scanning random QR codes or visiting strange links included in the package, as some scams now pair brushing with attempts to phish your financial or login details.

Recent and trending context

Brushing scams have become more visible over the last few years as global online shopping has exploded and sellers compete aggressively for top search positions on big marketplaces. News and security blogs in 2024–2025 describe it as a growing trend, with spikes around busy shopping and holiday seasons, and in some regions it’s being flagged as a “new year, new scam” issue that authorities are warning consumers about.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.