Received an Amazon package you didn’t order? It could be a scam

Third-party sellers on Amazon and other e-commerce sites are sending random products to people across the US as part of what’s known as a “brushing scam” – a bizarre scheme that helps boost a vendors’ ratings online. Here’s how it works.

Produced by Zachary Wasser
Senior Producer: Bronte Lord

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[Gavin_and_Mom]

Meanwhile I’m not receiving orders I actually paid for

[atlasferrara]

I don’t mind being “scammed” like this where do I sign up?

[megumikobayashi]

I'll just leave my address here...hope the scammers don't try anything like fr fr.

[itoady]

What about sellers calling and emailing you to remove your REAL review in exchange for a $30 gift card? That $hit needs to stop too!

[danr]

The worst 5-star reviews I see often.
"I love it "
"works as intended"
"thank you"

[MzHues]

This is exactly why I read the 3 star reviews. I find that these are the most honest.

[alonealien]

Everyday I'm amazed by how people manage to find new ways of doing 'bad' things. If only we would put this much effort into doing 'good' things. Maybe all of the world's problems would be solved.

[mixtlillness]

This is probably the weirdest scam I’ve ever heard of.

[VB-fooc]

*For everyone saying that they want this to happen to you, that would mean that your name, address & who knows what other information is floating around on the Dark Web*

[nicholashuff]

Amazon needs to stop saying "don't worry about it" IMMEDIATELY, and if they do not, they are complicit and culpable in the fraud, imo; period. 😡

[stevelovesemmy]

Seems like this could be easily solved by not allowing reviews for “gifts”

[ladydeerheart]

I can't even get the stuff I did order and paid for.

[perspective]

Personally, I usually pay more attention to the negative reviews. Then I look on youtube for additional reviews. The youtube reviews are so so on credibility but you can at least see the product in use.

[LearningandTechnology]

Um... seems like a simple solution. Don’t let “buyers” write reviews - let “receivers” write reviews. After all - the person receiving and using the product is really the person that should be able to write the verified review.

[jacquiround]

This makes sense as I find reviews suspicious at times.

[wilywascal]

Amazon needs to tighten up its policing and regulations on third-party sellers, even if this abuse is mostly harmless and more of a nuisance.

[byronbaldwyn]

This is the one time I hope I get “scammed”.

[Sinneric]

But... every tracking number is unique! HOW is this even remotely an issue? How has Amazon not initiated a system where you can find the order via the tracking number on your package and report it???

[anitamwd]

That’s why I read the bad reviews first and, sometimes, only.

[dianegerman]

I got a security camera. Tried to send it back, but Amazon didn’t know where it came from. I didn’t want an unknown item in my home, so I donated it. Had a weird feeling to it. Guess it happens a lot.