Is the Brushing Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a other scam.

What should I do if I received the Brushing Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Brushing Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Brushing Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Brushing Scam: Is It a Scam?

Medium Prevalence Type: Other

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Brushing scams involve receiving packages you never ordered, typically cheap lightweight items from overseas sellers. The sellers use your address to create fake verified purchase reviews, boosting their product rankings on Amazon and other platforms.

How This Scam Works

An overseas seller obtains your name and address, often from data breaches or public records. They ship you a cheap item like seeds, jewelry, or phone accessories and then post a fake five-star review in your name as a 'verified purchase.' This boosts their product in search rankings. While receiving free items might seem harmless, it means your personal information is in the hands of unknown parties. In some cases, the packages contain QR codes that lead to phishing sites when scanned. The broader concern is that your data is being used without your consent.

Red Flags to Watch For

Receiving packages you did not order
Items are cheap, lightweight, and often from overseas
No return address or sender information
Package includes a QR code asking you to scan for a 'gift' or 'prize'
Items arrive from Amazon, AliExpress, or Wish with no matching order

Example Scam Messages

Package label: Random item from an unknown seller on Amazon with your name and address but no order in your history. --- Note inside package: 'Thank you for your purchase! Scan this QR code to claim your free gift and leave us a review!' --- No message at all; just a small package with a cheap item like silicone rings, LED lights, or plant seeds.

What to Do If You Received This

You can legally keep the items; you are not obligated to return or pay for them
Do not scan any QR codes included in the package
Check your Amazon and other marketplace accounts for unauthorized access
Change your passwords if you suspect an account breach
Consider where your address may have been exposed in a data breach

What to Do If You Fell For It

If you scanned a QR code, run a security scan on your device
Change passwords if you entered any credentials
Contact your bank if you entered payment information
Report any unauthorized reviews posted in your name

How to Report This Scam

Report to Amazon at amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html (search for 'report brushing')
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report to the marketplace where the item may have been purchased
Consider reporting to USPS if items arrive by mail

Last updated: February 10, 2026