RELATED: Never Do This When You Get a Medical Bill, Experts Warn. Packages are sometimes dropped off at the wrong location, so you might receive a package that’s meant for someone else. But if you get a package you didn’t order and see your name and address on the box, you should avoid opening it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says that unordered packages are often the result of brushing scams. According to the agency, this is when lightweight and inexpensive merchandise is sent by foreign, third-party sellers to a customer who didn’t order it. The USPS says it will send the package back at no charge to you if you haven’t opened it and write “Return to Sender” on the box. RELATED: If You Find This in Your Mailbox, Don’t Remove It, Mail Carrier Warns. According to the BBB, this is a way for scammers to create phony reviews on products to boost sales. “They then post a fake, positive review to improve their products’ ratings, which means more sales for them. The payoff is highly profitable from their perspective,” the BBB says. The agency adds that, “By using the brushing scam, they also are increasing their sales numbers. After all, they aren’t really purchasing the items, since the payment goes right back to them. Increased sales numbers, even though padded with fake purchases, look good for the company and helps lead to more sales.” RELATED: For more useful information delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. According to the BBB, these scammers are simply using your address because they were able to find it online. “The fact that someone was able to have the items sent to you as if you purchased them indicates that they probably have some of your personal information such as your name, address, and possibly, your phone number,” the bureau explains. “Once the information is out there on the internet, it could be used for numerous crooked enterprises.” If you do receive an unordered package, you should change your account passwords to improve security in case your personal information was compromised. The BBB also advises that you keep a close eye on credit reports and credit card bills for more fraudulent activities.
