Amazon Brushing Scams
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, according to the FTC.
Quick Answer
Amazon brushing scams involve receiving unsolicited packages from third-party sellers who use your address to post fake "verified" positive reviews, which indicates your personal information has been compromised.
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How It Works
1
A third-party seller on a platform like Amazon obtains your personal information, such as your name and address, often from data breaches, public records, or by purchasing it online.
2
The seller creates a fake buyer account or uses your information to place an order for their own product and ships it to your address. The items are often inexpensive and lightweight, such as seeds, face masks, or small electronics.
3
Once the package is marked as delivered, the scammer can post a five-star review for the product in your name, making it appear as a "verified purchase." This fraudulently boosts the product's ratings and visibility, leading to more legitimate sales.
Red Flags
- Receiving a package from Amazon or another retailer that you did not order.
- The package is addressed to you but has no return address or an unfamiliar one.
- The items inside are often low-cost, random products like cheap electronics, seeds, or accessories.
- You cannot find any record of the order in your account's purchase history.
- The package includes a note or QR code urging you to claim a prize or get more information, which could lead to a phishing site.
- You later discover fake positive reviews for products on an e-commerce site posted in your name.
What to Do If Targeted
- Do not pay for or return the unsolicited merchandise. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states you have a legal right to keep it.
- Immediately change the passwords for your Amazon, email, and other online shopping and financial accounts.
- Report the unsolicited package directly to Amazon through its "Report Unsolicited Package" form or customer service.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges and check your credit reports for new accounts opened in your name at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Report the incident as identity theft at identitytheft.gov, as your personal information has been compromised.
- Do not scan any QR codes that come with the package, as they may lead to phishing websites designed to steal more personal information.
How to Report It
- FTC — File a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission to help them track and stop scammers.
- FBI IC3 — Report the internet crime to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- IdentityTheft.gov — Report the potential identity theft to the FTC and get a personalized recovery plan.
- FCC — File a complaint about phone scams, robocalls, or unwanted calls with the Federal Communications Commission.
- AARP Fraud Helpline — Call 877-908-3360 for free support from trained fraud specialists. Available to anyone, not just AARP members.
Key Statistics
- Consumers reported losing over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a $2.5 billion increase from 2023. — FTC 2025
- The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 1,008,597 complaints in 2025, with reported losses of nearly $21 billion. — FBI IC3 2026
- A study found that as many as 4% of people may have been victims of brushing scams, receiving unsolicited packages. — Which? Study
- In 2022, the FTC received reports of nearly $8.8 billion in total fraud losses, an increase of more than $2.6 billion from 2021. — FTC 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
While the package itself is usually harmless, it is a sign of danger because it means a scammer has your name, address, and possibly other personal information. This data could be used for more serious crimes like identity theft or opening fraudulent accounts in your name. You should immediately take steps to secure your online accounts and monitor your credit.
No, you are not obligated to pay for or return unordered merchandise. According to the Federal Trade Commission, you have the legal right to keep any items you receive in a brushing scam. Attempting to return the item could expose you to further scams, especially if it involves scanning a QR code or visiting a website.
Scammers obtain personal information like your name and address from various sources. This can include data breaches of websites you've used, public records, social media profiles, or by purchasing lists of personal data on the dark web. The arrival of an unsolicited package is a clear indicator that your information has been compromised.
Yes, brushing scams are illegal in the United States. The practice involves using deceptive techniques to manipulate e-commerce platforms by posting fake reviews and misusing an individual's personal information without their consent. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirms that this type of scheme is against the law.
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