$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
brushing scam
You receive unsolicited packages you never ordered — a seller is using your name and address to post verified purchase reviews, boosting their product ratings fraudulently.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Sellers obtain names and addresses from data breaches or public records.
2
They ship cheap, lightweight items and use the shipment confirmation to post verified purchase reviews under fake accounts.
3
The fake reviews boost the product's ranking, driving real sales from deceived shoppers.
What to do first
Report the unsolicited package to the marketplace — Amazon has a dedicated brushing report form.
Related terms
mystery package scamunsolicited package fraudfake order review schemeFake review scamsWebsiteSurgingOnline shoppersSmall business ownersTech workers and developersCreators and online sellersUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdommystery package scamunsolicited package fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Jason, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate fake review scams situation while using Website. Sellers obtain names and addresses from data breaches or public records.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They ship cheap, lightweight items and use the shipment confirmation to post verified purchase reviews under fake accounts.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The fake reviews boost the product's ranking, driving real sales from deceived shoppers.
The outcome
Jason realized something was wrong when you receive packages you never ordered, often lightweight items from overseas. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Report the unsolicited package to the marketplace — Amazon has a dedicated brushing report form. Jason's experience shows why you receive packages you never ordered, often lightweight items from overseas and the sender address is unfamiliar or from a foreign warehouse are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- You receive packages you never ordered, often lightweight items from overseas
- The sender address is unfamiliar or from a foreign warehouse
- Your Amazon or marketplace 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 package to the marketplace — Amazon has a dedicated brushing report form.
- ✓Change your marketplace account password and enable two-factor authentication.
- ✓Check your credit report for signs of identity misuse, since your address data may be circulating.
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 USPS and Amazon have both issued consumer advisories about brushing scams, noting a significant increase during and after the pandemic.
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 package to the marketplace — Amazon has a dedicated brushing report form.
- ✓Change your marketplace account password and enable two-factor authentication.
- ✓Check your credit report for signs of identity misuse, since your address data may be circulating.
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 USPS and Amazon have both issued consumer advisories about brushing scams, noting a significant increase during and after the pandemic.
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
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Website — Fake review 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 USPS and Amazon have both issued consumer advisories about brushing scams, noting a significant increase during and after the pandemic.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about brushing scam
How does the brushing scam work?+
Sellers obtain names and addresses from data breaches or public records. They ship cheap, lightweight items and use the shipment confirmation to post verified purchase reviews under fake accounts. The fake reviews boost the product's ranking, driving real sales from deceived shoppers.
What are the warning signs of brushing scam?+
You receive packages you never ordered, often lightweight items from overseas The sender address is unfamiliar or from a foreign warehouse Your Amazon or marketplace account shows no record of the order
What should I do if I encounter brushing scam?+
Report the unsolicited package to the marketplace — Amazon has a dedicated brushing report form. Change your marketplace account password and enable two-factor authentication. Check your credit report for signs of identity misuse, since your address data may be circulating.
Who is most at risk for brushing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Website.
Is brushing scam getting worse?+
brushing scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, UK, AU. 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.