You receive a package and don’t recognize the sender’s name.
You think to yourself, did you order something online and forget about it? But that thought disappears when you open the package to find it empty.
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Is it a prank? Should you be worried?
It’s happening to Americans across the country. Here’s why it’s happening, and what you should do if you receive an empty package.
Brushing scams
Receiving an empty or unexpected package with something of little or no value inside likely means you’ve been caught in a brushing scam.
According to the United States Postal Service, brushing scams involve sending items to people who didn’t order them (1). The packages generally contain low-value items, and they are sent by third-party sellers who are aiming to raise their product ratings or visibility.
These sellers are using the recipients’ addresses so that it appears they are verified purchasers; the sellers then can leave fake reviews of the products they sell.
Seems benign. But, here’s why you should worry about being drawn into a brushing scam: If you receive one of these packages, it may mean that scammers have your personal information. If your name, address and phone number are online, it could be used for other fraudulent purposes, the USPS says.
Empty packages pouring in
A recent report from WTVF News Channel 5 in Nashville details a brushing scam where hundreds of people across the country have received empty envelopes (2).
Resident Candi Kready was one of the victims of the scam, sharing the empty packages with reporter Jennifer Kraus.
Another woman received nine empty packages from the sender “Davve Garzaz,” with a return address in New York that, according to WTVF, does not exist. WTVF found hundreds of reports using the Better Business Bureau’s National Scam Tracker. And people have taken to TikTok to share their experiences.
Robyn Householder, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau Middle Tennessee, told News Channel 5 that giving the OK to packages can mean more are on the way.
“Because you accepted the package, that scammer now knows that the address and the name is legitimate, which means they’re probably going to use it more often,” Householder said.
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What you should do
According to the USPS, if you receive any packages that you did not order, you should first file a report with the Postal Inspection Service, which you can do online (3).
Next, change the password for your email and any other accounts with financial data. Don’t communicate with the sender of the package.
“You may inadvertently verify your address, which could lead to more unwanted packages,” the USPS adds. And avoid scanning any QR codes, “because this can install malware on your device.”
The Better Business Bureau’s Householder notes that if you receive one of these packages, you should take it as a call to action to check your credit rating, change your passwords and see if there’s been any unusual activity.
Householder also recommends setting up alerts for banking and credit card transactions.
Protect your information
If you think your personal information has been compromised, those fraud alerts can help you get ahead of the scam and help you freeze your credit.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, an initial fraud alert can be installed by anyone who suspects they have been affected by identity theft, and it’s free (4) to use. And you don’t have to contact all three bureaus, as they share fraud alert information.
An initial fraud alert “tells businesses to check with you before opening a new credit account in your name,” according to the FTC. Unlike a credit freeze, it doesn’t prevent businesses from seeing your credit report.
A credit freeze will prevent anyone from opening a new account in your name. Credit freezes are also free, and there’s no additional cost to lift them either. It also won’t affect your credit score.
To place a credit freeze, contact all three credit bureaus. If a lender needs access to your credit, ask which bureau they use, and contact them to lift the credit freeze. You can put it back once the credit check is complete.
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Article Sources
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United States Postal Service (1); WTVF News Channel 5 (2); United States Postal Inspection Service (3); Federal Trade Commission (4)
This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: Americans nationwide are receiving mysterious white envelopes from a person who doesn’t exist. Do this if you get one
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
