Unauthorized manipulation of undelivered Amazon orders is widespread
In the vast digital marketplace of Amazon, a new form of fraudulent activity has surfaced, known as the "Brushing" scam. This insidious scheme involves sellers sending unsolicited items to random customers, often small, inexpensive products, with the intention of generating fake positive reviews using those recipients' accounts. This practice artificially inflates sellers' ratings, boosting their sales chances [1].
Unsuspecting customers, who did not purchase or even request these items, find them mysteriously appearing at their doorstep. The recipients of these packages are not required to return them, incurring no financial loss as there are usually no invoices [4]. However, the impact on customer privacy is significant.
Brushing scams exploit and compromise recipients' personal data and privacy by using their names and addresses without consent to create fake orders on Amazon [3]. This misuse of data exposes individuals to unwanted deliveries and fraudulently generated transaction records under their names. These fake shipments might be part of larger schemes involving data misuse or identity fraud [2].
Amazon customers are increasingly receiving unexpected packages due to this scam. To combat the issue, the e-commerce giant is actively working to detect and prevent such activities [6]. If you find yourself a recipient of a "Brushing" package, it's essential to document it with photos and inform Amazon customer service [5].
The sellers engaging in this scam are often based outside of Europe [2]. Honest sellers on Amazon could be impacted by the "Brushing" scam, as their reputations may suffer due to the influx of false positive reviews [7].
To protect your personal data, consider using an account with an identity leak warning service like "Have I Been Pwned" to check if your data is circulating online [8]. Be vigilant and stay informed to safeguard your privacy and shopping experience on Amazon.
[1] The goal of the "Brushing" scam is to receive positive reviews for their products, increasing their visibility on Amazon and boosting their sales chances. [2] The perpetrators of the "Brushing" scam often operate anonymously and outside of Europe. [3] If users no longer trust the review system on Amazon, the entire shopping experience may be affected. [4] Recipients of these packages can keep the goods as they are not required to return them. [5] Recipients of these unexpected packages should document them with photos and inform Amazon customer service. [6] Amazon is actively working to combat the "Brushing" scam. [7] Honest sellers on Amazon could be impacted by the "Brushing" scam. [8] Using an account with an identity leak warning service like "Have I Been Pwned" can help check if personal data is circulating online.
- Sellers, possibly from various regions of the technology industry, are employing the "Brushing" scam on Amazon's finance-driven marketplace, using unsolicited product shipments to fabricate positive reviews and boost their sales in the general-news realm.
- While recipients of these suspected packages incur no financial loss, the impact on individual privacy within the digital industry is alarming, as sellers exploit personal data for fraudulent activities, such as unwanted deliveries and identity theft.
