Brushing Scams: Your Name Is Being Used for Fake Reviews – Stop It Now!

April 23, 2025 By Michael S. Davis No Comments 7 minutes

Brushing scams are a form of online fraud where sellers ship unsolicited packages to people who never placed an order. These deceptive schemes are commonly seen on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and AliExpress. Scammers use this tactic to manipulate product rankings and generate fake reviews, increasing their sales and visibility. Keep reading to learn how brushing scams operate and how you can protect yourself.

What is a Brushing Scam?

A brushing scam can be defined as a form of fraud in which vendors purchase fake positive reviews of their products. Vendors send unsolicited packages containing low-quality jewelry or gadgets to random or fake addresses. After these items are delivered, scammers post fake positive reviews to increase sales and ratings of the seller’s products.

Also, read about the PayPal Scam

What Does Brushing Mean?

Brushing is a term that stems from Chinese e-commerce. Fake orders are placed, and items are shipped to random people, which boosts the seller’s rating on the site. This tactic creates an illusion of greater demand and positive ratings, improving the product’s reputation, which misleads potential buyers. This is fraud.

How do Brushing Scams work? 

A seller creates a bogus account in your name and address. They order the product themselves and specify an address – your address. After receiving the package, the scammer leaves a glowing five-star review from the phony account. Because the payment seems authentic and is under your name, the review is marked and confirmed as a “verified buyer.” Vendors can continue this with countless accounts, using these reviews, albeit fraudulent, to gain money and entice genuine clients.

Read About SunPass Toll Scam.

Risks Associated with Brushing Scams

1. Your Personal Data at Risk: If you receive a package you didn’t order, and it’s not a gift, your personal details (like your name and address) might have been compromised. That’s either because you lost your data (as in a data breach) or you got one of your online accounts hacked. Additionally there are some illegal marketplaces on the dark web that sell stolen data. We definitely advise against visiting the dark web, but if you must, do your research.
2. Your Name Used Illegally: If a customer sees that you’ve been identified in connection with products he’s never bought or used, it can have an adverse effect on your reputation since these products are potentially sensitive ( like ” your ” review of the product ). For example, someone buys a potentially unsafe toy for their child, thinking it’s safe based on your review. Beyond fake reviews, your identity is valuable. With your name, address, and date of birth, fraudsters could create a fake version of you, leading to financial losses or trouble securing loans, credit cards, or mortgages.
3. Your Online Account Suspended: Posting fake reviews in your name to boost fraudulent products may cause the platform to investigate your account. Consequently, this could lead to account restrictions or suspension.
4. Being Misled as a Customer: When a seller’s account is filled with fake glowing reviews and inflated ratings, it’s easy to be deceived into purchasing low-quality products. Do you really want to risk ruining your child’s birthday with a collapsing toy fort or poorly made knock-offs of their favorite characters?
5. Facing Safety Risks: Some items from brushing scams could pose real health or safety hazards. For instance, cosmetic products or clothing may contain harmful chemicals not approved in your country. Cheap electronics could cause fires or shocks. Imagine being scalded by a coffee cup holder falling apart in heavy traffic. Putting trust in products you know nothing about can lead to serious consequences. Even if it’s free, the chances of getting a high-quality item are slim.

Read About Geek Squad Scam.

Signs Of Brushing Scams- How to Identify 

Occasionally, a delivery person might mistakenly drop off a package at your home that was meant for a neighbor or a nearby business. This isn’t typically a sign of a brushing scam. However, if any of the following occur, it could indicate that you’re involved in a brushing scam:

• You receive items you didn’t order.
• The packages lack a return address.
• Your name appears in reviews for these products.

Things to Do If You Fall Victim

If you receive an unsolicited package, it’s important to handle it carefully. While you may be tempted to keep the item, remember that its quality and origin are uncertain. It’s generally safer to dispose of the mystery item and don’t feel obligated to return it, as the return address could be fake and the process could incur unnecessary costs. Never call any phone numbers provided on the package, as scammers might use the opportunity to gather more of your personal information. Also, you should never pay for merchandise you didn’t order—you don’t owe them anything!

Once you’ve decided what to do with the item, take the following actions:

1. Report the issue to the e-commerce platform, such as Amazon or eBay. File a fraud report and request that they check for any reviews submitted under your name and remove them if found.
2. Notify local authorities if the package contains suspicious, illegal, or harmful items.
3. Monitor your financial and online accounts for any unauthorized activity.
4. Report any identity theft or scam to the relevant authorities. In the US, contact the FTC for advice on how to report and recover from these scams. In the UK, report fraud or cybercrime to Action Fraud.
5. Change your passwords for all online accounts and activate two-factor or multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible. Using strong, unique passwords will further protect your sensitive information.

How to Report a Brushing Scam

If you get a surprise package and think it might be part of a brushing scam, report it to the online store or platform where the order might have come from. Here’s what to do:

1. Log in to your account and find the section to report issues.
2. If the package isn’t a gift and the platform has no record of it, it’s probably a scam.
3. Fill out the form with details about the package and submit it.
4. You can also report the issue to your local consumer protection agency or, for those in the U.S., to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

How to Protect Yourself from Brushing Scams

Here are some steps to avoid falling for brushing scams:

1. Secure Your Accounts:
   Change your passwords regularly and turn on two-factor authentication for extra protection.
2. Report Unsolicited Packages:
   If you get a package you didn’t order, report it right away to the platform where it was sent from.
3. Verify Seller Reviews:
   Before buying from a new seller, check their reviews carefully. Real reviews often provide specific details about the product or shipping, while fake ones are usually vague.
4. Stick to Trusted Sellers:
   Shop with reliable sellers who have a good reputation. Carefully examine their product images to avoid fake or misleading listings.

How FastestVPN Helps With Brushing Scams?

FastestVPN offers some protection in terms of privacy and security, but it won’t directly prevent brushing scams. Here’s how it might help:

How FastestVPN Helps:

• Protects Your Data: FastestVPN encrypts your internet connection, making it harder for scammers to track your online activity, especially when shopping on e-commerce platforms.
• Hides your IP Address: It masks your real IP address, potentially preventing scammers from targeting you based on your online behavior or location.
  

Conclusion 

The bottom line is that may be you do not consider Brushing scams harmful. But in reality, these are deceptive tactics that use your personal information to create fake reviews. In this way, scammers manipulate reviews to improve their product rankings using your information. Therefore, it is important to notice warning signs, secure your accounts, and report suspicious activity on time.

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