Have you received strange packages recently? You could be the next victim of this scam
- Replies 1
As we navigate the digital age, many Australians embrace the convenience of online shopping.
However, with this ease comes a new breed of scams that could target unsuspecting consumers, especially seniors.
One such scam recently came to light and left many Australians scratching their heads in confusion and concern.
Imagine going about your day only to find a mysterious package at your doorstep with random items you never ordered.
This was what happened to a man who shared his experience online.
'Received these two strange plastic objects in the mail that I did not order,' the man shared in a post online.
'Mail was domestic with tracking with no return address. What are they? Google Lens says anti-snore dilators? What's the scam?'
'Phone number is clearly a fake "0400000000",' he also added.
Some comments initially thought that the package might be part of a joke.
'Anti snore? It's your wife sending you a message,' one comment read.
'Or neighbour?' another followed up.
'This could be the hint. Sleep apnoea is a thing,' a third warned about the dangers of sleep apnoea.
However, the reality was far more sinister.
The unknown parcels are part of a deceptive practice by online sellers.
Brushing is a method to boost an online store's credibility and visibility.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stepped in to shed light on the said scam.
'They create fake customer profiles on their retail store with randomly selected but real delivery addresses,' the spokesperson prefaced.
'They then use these profiles to purchase low-value items such as seeds from their selling profile on the marketplace.'
These transactions allow the seller to post fake positive reviews online and inflate their sales volume.
Fake reviews and sales can then improve search engine rankings in online marketplaces.
Last year, several Australians also reported receiving strange parcels as a part of this scam.
Recipients reportedly received deliveries of cheap pillows, shredded rags, and dirty plush toys.
E-commerce giant Amazon also has a dedicated website addressing the dangers of brushing.
'Amazon investigates reports of 'brushing' and takes the appropriate action against bad actors that violate our policies,' the website read.
'Amazon may suspend or remove selling privileges, withhold payments, and work with law enforcement during investigations.'
While the exact scale of brushing is hard to determine, it's clear that it's not an isolated issue.
The National Anti-Scam Centre advised consumers to look for independent reviews of sellers and to use secure payment methods that offer purchase protections.
If you receive an unsolicited package, report the incident to the appropriate authorities and organisations like Report Cyber and IDCARE immediately.
Have you or someone you know encountered this scam? How did you handle it? Please share your experiences and tips on dealing with such scams in the comments section below.
However, with this ease comes a new breed of scams that could target unsuspecting consumers, especially seniors.
One such scam recently came to light and left many Australians scratching their heads in confusion and concern.
Imagine going about your day only to find a mysterious package at your doorstep with random items you never ordered.
This was what happened to a man who shared his experience online.
'Received these two strange plastic objects in the mail that I did not order,' the man shared in a post online.
'Mail was domestic with tracking with no return address. What are they? Google Lens says anti-snore dilators? What's the scam?'
The mysterious parcel contained two small pieces of plastic. Image Credit: Reddit/Equivalent_Outside37
'Phone number is clearly a fake "0400000000",' he also added.
Some comments initially thought that the package might be part of a joke.
'Anti snore? It's your wife sending you a message,' one comment read.
'Or neighbour?' another followed up.
'This could be the hint. Sleep apnoea is a thing,' a third warned about the dangers of sleep apnoea.
However, the reality was far more sinister.
The unknown parcels are part of a deceptive practice by online sellers.
Brushing is a method to boost an online store's credibility and visibility.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stepped in to shed light on the said scam.
'They create fake customer profiles on their retail store with randomly selected but real delivery addresses,' the spokesperson prefaced.
'They then use these profiles to purchase low-value items such as seeds from their selling profile on the marketplace.'
These transactions allow the seller to post fake positive reviews online and inflate their sales volume.
Fake reviews and sales can then improve search engine rankings in online marketplaces.
Last year, several Australians also reported receiving strange parcels as a part of this scam.
Recipients reportedly received deliveries of cheap pillows, shredded rags, and dirty plush toys.
E-commerce giant Amazon also has a dedicated website addressing the dangers of brushing.
'Amazon investigates reports of 'brushing' and takes the appropriate action against bad actors that violate our policies,' the website read.
'Amazon may suspend or remove selling privileges, withhold payments, and work with law enforcement during investigations.'
While the exact scale of brushing is hard to determine, it's clear that it's not an isolated issue.
The National Anti-Scam Centre advised consumers to look for independent reviews of sellers and to use secure payment methods that offer purchase protections.
If you receive an unsolicited package, report the incident to the appropriate authorities and organisations like Report Cyber and IDCARE immediately.
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