What is a brushing scam?

How dishonest retailers use brushing scams

A free package on your doorstep might seem like a gift. However, it’s part of a new and growing category of fraud that’s linked to shady online retailers.

Those who are being targeted by this type of scheme will begin receiving items they didn’t order. The items can vary in everything from kitchen gadgets to tech accessories, cheap fashion, or other small objects. These items are small and inexpensive to ship, especially from overseas. Usually, these packages don’t have return addresses or companies listed, which causes even more confusion.

While it might not seem like there’s anything you can do, this scam hinges on the fact that a product has to be purchased and shipped to verify a sale, helping sellers inflate their numbers in less-than-honest ways.

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The link between brushing scams and online reviews

Selling major online retailers has become a highly competitive business, with thousands of sellers across the world jockeying to sell the same products. These sellers thrive using positive reviews and a best-seller status, which they can only achieve through large volumes of purchases. The faster they achieve this criterion, the more successful they’ll seem and the more products they can sell.

Therefore, a brushing scam leverages your personal information to fraudulently prop up a façade of success and legitimacy. Here’s how it works in detail:

• Scammers find your personal information. This information might have been leaked through a data breach or found via social media.
• Scammers open accounts at online retailers. Sometimes, they can open hundreds of accounts across multiple retail platforms.
• Scammers pretend to buy goods; then they ship them to your address. Sending out packages en masse makes them seem like their storefront is popular. Even if they don’t get a positive review, sending out so many packages at once will inflate their numbers.
• Scammers leave positive reviews. Your fake purchase might also come with a positive review, which helps scammers inch toward that vaunted best-seller status and five-star reviews.

The danger of brushing scams

A brushing scam differs from most scams you may have heard about, in which scammers reach out to you directly to build trust, hold your data or information hostage, or take your money directly. Perhaps the worst outcome of a brushing scam might just be that you have an extra dog collar or phone case to throw away.

However, the fact that an unscrupulous fraudster has your name and address—as well as related information such as your email address and phone number—should be a reason to stay vigilant. These leaks can also lead to identity theft, which can impact your financial security and disrupt your life.

Ultimately, if you’ve ever bought a disappointing product that has thousands of positive reviews, you might be dealing with a seller that engages in brushing scams. Learn about other ways to protect yourself both online and over the phone, and take steps to check your online presence and keep your personal information secure.