Experts Warn of Holiday Season ‘Brushing Scams’ Targeting Metro Detroit Shoppers

Experts warn to brush off scams this holiday season Metro Detroit.

A brush scam is where a package is addressed and delivered to someone who did not order it.

“They’re basically sending packages to these people without them ordering it, just so they can increase the number of sales on their website,” said Earl Duby, Chief Information Security Officer at Auxium.

Duby said the “swindlers” are third-party online sellers who typically have a storefront on Amazon, eBay or other sites.

“They’ll also go in there and make fake reviews to make their products look a lot better than they actually are,” Duby said.

Duby said if you fall victim to a brush scam, some of your personal information could be compromised.

“They got your name and address from some stolen data that’s out there on the Internet somewhere,” Duby said.
“It’s a sign that your personal information has been leaked out there somewhere on the Internet.”

There’s not much you can do to fix this, but he said you can take some precautions, such as changing your passwords, enabling two-factor authentication logins, and monitoring your credit and charges.

Lately, some of these unsolicited packages have a letter with a QR code.

Duby said the QR code will take you to a web page that requests 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 website designed specifically for reporting such packets.

The Better Business Bureau of Detroit and Eastern Michigan have also received reports of brush fraud.

“People reported receiving things like lipstick or nail polish or a little cheap toy,” said Nakia Mills with the BBB.

Mills offered similar advice to Duby, recommending victims of a brush scam report the package, update passwords and add two-factor authentication.

“It just makes you feel a little uneasy, like maybe somebody knows a little too much about me,” Mills said. “So therefore the best thing you can do is check all your privacy, tighten up where you can.”