$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Amazon brushing package scam
You receive unsolicited packages from Amazon that you never ordered — a sign that a seller is using your address to post fake verified reviews and inflate their product ratings.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$80
median reported loss
Typical range$16 – $800
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
A seller obtains your name and address — often from data breaches or public records — and ships cheap items to you.
2
Using fake buyer accounts linked to your address, the seller posts verified purchase reviews to boost their product listings.
3
The scheme inflates seller ratings and product visibility, misleading other shoppers into buying potentially low-quality products.
What to do first
Report the unsolicited packages to Amazon customer service and check your account for unauthorized access.
Related terms
Amazon mystery package scambrushing fraudfake review packageOnline shopping scamsAmazonSurgingOnline shoppersAdultsHomeownersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersReal estate professionals and homebuyersUnited StatesCanadaUnited KingdomAmazon mystery package scambrushing fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Michael, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Amazon. A seller obtains your name and address — often from data breaches or public records — and ships cheap items to you.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Using fake buyer accounts linked to your address, the seller posts verified purchase reviews to boost their product listings.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The scheme inflates seller ratings and product visibility, misleading other shoppers into buying potentially low-quality products.
The outcome
Michael realized something was wrong when receiving packages you never ordered, often lightweight and low-value items. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Report the unsolicited packages to Amazon customer service and check your account for unauthorized access. Michael's experience shows why receiving packages you never ordered, often lightweight and low-value items and no return address or a foreign return address on the package are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Receiving packages you never ordered, often lightweight and low-value items
- No return address or a foreign return address on the package
- Your Amazon account shows no record of the order
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Report the unsolicited packages to Amazon customer service and check your account for unauthorized access.
- ✓Change your Amazon password and enable two-factor authentication on your account.
- ✓Report brushing to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — it may indicate your personal data has been compromised.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The BBB reported a significant increase in brushing complaints in 2023, with thousands of consumers receiving unsolicited packages tied to fake review schemes.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Report the unsolicited packages to Amazon customer service and check your account for unauthorized access.
- ✓Change your Amazon password and enable two-factor authentication on your account.
- ✓Report brushing to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — it may indicate your personal data has been compromised.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The BBB reported a significant increase in brushing complaints in 2023, with thousands of consumers receiving unsolicited packages tied to fake review schemes.
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online shoppers, Adults, Homeowners
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Primary channel
Amazon — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online shoppers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The BBB reported a significant increase in brushing complaints in 2023, with thousands of consumers receiving unsolicited packages tied to fake review schemes.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about amazon brushing package scam
How does the amazon brushing package scam work?+
A seller obtains your name and address — often from data breaches or public records — and ships cheap items to you. Using fake buyer accounts linked to your address, the seller posts verified purchase reviews to boost their product listings. The scheme inflates seller ratings and product visibility, misleading other shoppers into buying potentially low-quality products.
What are the warning signs of amazon brushing package scam?+
Receiving packages you never ordered, often lightweight and low-value items No return address or a foreign return address on the package Your Amazon account shows no record of the order
What should I do if I encounter amazon brushing package scam?+
Report the unsolicited packages to Amazon customer service and check your account for unauthorized access. Change your Amazon password and enable two-factor authentication on your account. Report brushing to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — it may indicate your personal data has been compromised.
Who is most at risk for amazon brushing package scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Adults, Homeowners. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on Amazon.
Is amazon brushing package scam getting worse?+
Amazon brushing package scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.