Surprise! It’s a Brushing Scam—Next Up: Free Socks and Identity Theft!

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congratulations, you’ve just won…nothing! Unless you count a random kitchen whisk or mismatched socks as a prize. 

The U.S. Postal Service is waving a red flag at unsuspecting Americans: if you’ve received a mystery package, it might not be a gift—it could be a “brushing” scam designed to peddle your personal data like hotcakes.

A "brushing scam" is an e-commerce fraud where a seller sends unsolicited packages to random addresses and then posts fake positive reviews of their products to boost their sales and ratings on online marketplaces. These packages are sent to individuals who didn't order them, and often contain items like small, inexpensive products. 

“Treat Your Personal Information Like Cash”
“Brushing scams occur when a customer receives unsolicited packages containing low-cost items like household goods,” U.S. Postal Inspector Kelly McNulty warned on KOB 4 News. 

These parcels—be it a keychain, some novelty socks, or a silicone banana slicer—are sent by shady online retailers using stolen names and addresses. 

Then these scammers pose as delighted customers, flooding e-commerce sites with glowing “verified” reviews to boost their rankings.

If you get something you didn’t order, don’t assume you’re an audience member on a secret Oprah episode. 

Instead, realize “your personal information has been exposed,” McNulty says. “This is about more than just a package.”

Why You Should Drop the Excitement—and Pick Up the Phone
At first glance, a free gift might feel like Christmas in July. 

But these unsolicited trinkets are a harbinger of identity theft, credit fraud, and the latest phishing plot. 

Cyber crooks already have your “full name, phone number, home address and possibly even payment info,” McNulty cautions, noting that brushing scams are often the prelude to bigger cyber heists.

USPS’s Project Safe Delivery Goes on Offense
This latest warning is part of the USPS’s Project Safe Delivery, launched in 2023 to combat mail-related crimes. 

So far, the program has netted 2,800 arrests, including over 1,200 this year, for mail theft and attacks on postal workers. 

Now, the USPS is turning the focus to consumer-targeted fraud, because nothing says “thank you for your service” like protecting retirees from sock-based scams.

Five Steps to Kick Brushing Scams to the Curb
If a “gift” arrives unannounced, don’t turn it into a TikTok unboxing. Instead:

  1. Report It: Head to USPIS.gov and file a report with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The more reports, the faster investigators can track down the scammers.

  2. Audit Your Accounts: Inspect your shopping, banking, and credit-card statements for mysterious charges. Then snag a free credit report from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion—because knowledge is power (and so is paranoia).

  3. Update Your Passwords: Even if your money’s safe, it’s easy to change passwords for email, Amazon, and your bank. Consider it the digital equivalent of changing your locks after a break‑in.

  4. Use a Password Manager: These handy tools generate complex, unique passwords for each account, turning you into a digital fortress—or at least a tough nut to crack.

  5. Don’t Engage: You’re under no obligation to return the item or post a review. In fact, interacting with scammers just confirms that your address is hot.

And whatever you do, don’t scan any QR codes on mystery packages—they can steer you to malicious websites that hijack your data faster than you can say “crypto-ransomware.”

Beware of Discounted Stamps, Too
As if unsolicited packages weren’t enough, counterfeited postage is popping up on social media. 

“If you see large discounts on stamps—like 40 to 50% off—it’s probably too good to be true,” McNulty advised. 

Fake stamps can lead to rejected mail or unwanted penalties. Always buy postage directly from USPS or licensed retailers.

The Bigger Picture
Brushing scams spotlight a sobering reality: our personal data is as coveted as gold. 

As cybercriminals grow more inventive—delivering everything from silicone scrubbers to “mystery gadgets”—it’s crucial to treat your personal information with the same wariness as your debit card or Social Security number.

Whether it’s a random gadget or a slick-looking e‑stamp deal, pause and ask: “Is this too weird to be real?” 

If the answer’s yes, you’re probably about to catch a scam, not a lucky break.


Please support my writing by donating $1 at https://buymeacoffee.com/doublejeopardynews


#BrushingScamAlert
#TreatInfoLikeCash
#MysteryPackageMadness
#USPSWarning
#ProjectSafeDelivery
#DataBreachByMail
#Don’tScanThatQR
#PasswordPower
#FakeStampFiasco
#ReportTheScam
#AuditYourAccounts
#IdentityTheftPrevention
#PostalInspectorMcNulty
#UnwantedUnboxing
#ThinkBeforeYouSend

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