Experts are warning about brushing scams this holiday season in Metro Detroit.
A brushing scam is where a package is addressed and delivered to a person who did not order it.
“They basically send packages to these people without them ordering it just so they can boost up the number of sales on their website,” said Earl Duby, Chief Information Security Officer at Auxium.
Duby said the ‘scammers’ are third-party online sellers that typically have a storefront on Amazon, eBay, or other sites.
“They’ll also go in there and create false reviews, so their products look much better than they actually are,” Duby said.
Duby said if you’re the victim of a brushing scam, some of your personal information may be compromised.
“They’ve got your name and your address from some stolen data that’s out there on the internet someplace,” Duby said.
“It’s a sign that your personal information has been leaked out there somewhere on the internet.”
There’s not a whole lot you can do to fix this, but he said you can take some precautions like change your passwords, enable dual authentication logins and monitor your credit and charges.
Lately, some of these unsolicited packages include a letter with a QR code.
Duby said the QR code will take you to a webpage requesting more personal information, including credit card information.
Duby said not to scan the QR code and to report the unsolicited package to the company.
Amazon has a webpage designed specifically for reporting such packages.
The Better Business Bureau of Detroit and Eastern Michigan has also received reports of brushing scams.
“People reported receiving things like lipstick or nail polish, or a small cheap toy,” Nakia Mills with BBB said.
Mills offered similar advice as Duby, recommending victims of a brushing scam report the package, update passwords, and add dual authentications.
“It just makes you feel a little uneasy like someone might know a little bit too much about me,” Mills said. “So that’s why the best thing you can do is check all your privacy, tighten up where you can.”