If you thought fraud was widespread in previous years, 2020 makes everything before look like a cakewalk. Between scammy emails and deceptive phone calls clogging up your inbox and voicemail, there are more people attempting to steal your money and data now than ever before. But these efforts aren’t just limited to the digital realm. There are a number of scammers using shipping fraud for their own nefarious ends. Tap or click here to see how they’re using fake shipping notifications to trick people.
Seeding doubt and confusion
Have you gotten a mysterious package in the mail full of seeds? Or if not seeds, how about a packet of fake jewelry, kitchen utensils or small toys? If so, you’re one of the hundreds of Americans reporting the same bizarre phenomenon involving packages originating from China. Usually, on the envelope, the package will specify that jewelry and trinkets are contained within. But once opened, recipients only find unmarked seeds most of the time. Sometimes, it’ll be a random assortment of other small, lightweight objects. This scenario keeps popping up in states across the country, and every recipient has one thing in common: They never ordered the package to begin with. In response to this string of unusual deliveries, agriculture officials are urging recipients not top open anything inside the package, and to avoid handling, planting or consuming the seeds. This is out of concern that the seeds may contain invasive plant life, which can threaten local ecosystems. That brings us back to why people are receiving unsolicited seeds from halfway around the world. It appears to be another run-of-the-mill scam that treats each recipient as a patsy rather than a victim. According to the Whitehouse Police Department in Ohio, this seed epidemic appears to be nothing more than a so-called “brushing scam.” This tactic is used by sketchy online sellers to bolster their credibility on sales platforms and make their illegitimate or fledgling businesses appear much larger and more successful than they really are. Here’s how it works: Vendors scout for addresses they can ship inexpensive packages to that they pay for themselves. Then, they create a fake account using the address they shipped to and write a glowing review of the product they “received.” In reality, victims are nothing more than destinations, and the scam doesn’t hurt anyone financially or otherwise. Once you enter the one-time-password, follow the instructions onscreen and save your new password. That said, if you get one of these weird packages, keep a close eye on your credit card and bank statements out of an abundance of caution. It’s also worth monitoring your credit report for signs of fraud. If someone has access to your address, they could potentially have access to more. Tap or click here to see the benefits of freezing your credit.
Are these seeds for sale?
Now, if a seller breaks these rules they could suffer serious consequences — including potentially having their account removed from the site. Still, keep an eye out for strange packages that contain stuff you didn’t order. Clever sellers might find another inexpensive item to start shipping to keep the brushing scams going.
