As a frequent online shopper, the allure of getting free items from Amazon can be tempting. Who doesn’t love the thrill of receiving a surprise package in the mail? However, it’s important to be cautious and aware of a rising scam known as “brushing.”

Brushing scams involve companies or individuals creating fake Amazon accounts and using these accounts to purchase items for themselves. To make these transactions seem legitimate, these scammers will have the purchased items shipped to an unsuspecting victim’s address. The purpose of these scams is to boost the scammer’s ratings and reviews on Amazon, which they can then use to make their products appear more popular and trustworthy to potential buyers.

While receiving unexpected packages may initially seem harmless or even exciting, it’s crucial to report any brushing scams immediately to Amazon. As tempting as free products may be, engaging with these scammers can put you and your personal information at risk. Often, these scammers will use the address they’ve sent items to in order to create fake reviews from seemingly legitimate alternate accounts – putting the recipient at even higher risk of identity theft and other fraud.