Received an unexpected parcel? Beware of Christmas ‘Brushing’ scams, says Parcelhero – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Have you just received an item through the post you didn’t order? Of course, it may simply be a Christmas gift from a friend or relative that’s been shipped directly from the seller.

However, it could indicate that your personal data has been accessed or compromised, warns the home delivery expert Parcelhero.

Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: ‘We all have parcels arriving left, right and centre at this time of year. However, it pays to take notice of exactly where each package has come from, in case you find yourself involved in a Christmas “Brushing” scam.

‘Unscrupulous e-commerce sellers send unsolicited packages to people in an attempt to boost their ratings and reviews. It’s a practice known as “Brushing”. The term comes from the scammers’ intention to brush aside suspicion.

‘If your name is on the address label, it could be an indication that your personal data has been accessed or compromised. Of course, this need not mean your information has been shared in a data breach; it’s likely your details are also available on various public directories and even on social media.

‘Staffordshire Police says it has received a number of reports of people receiving cheap items of jewellery, made to look like more valuable items, that they have not ordered. One person had even had six plastic washing machines delivered.

‘Here’s what happens next:

• The scammer uses your name and address details to create fake accounts on e-commerce platforms where they sell their own products.
• They place orders for their own products, using these fake accounts. They pay for the orders themselves, often using either stolen card details or other illegal means.
• In order to make the scam appear legitimate, the scammer ships the product to the unsuspecting recipient.
• After the package has been delivered, the scammer then writes a positive review on their own seller accounts on platforms such as Amazon and eBay, using the recipient’s name. This helps to boost their ratings and increase their visibility on the platform, in the hope of bringing about genuine sales.

‘The more fake good reviews they can generate in this way, the higher their seller ranking and profile will be on many online marketplaces.

‘What harm can this do you? Providing the scammer does not appear to have obtained your banking details, it should not be a huge concern. However, you may well want to take extra steps to protect your personal information and it’s always a good idea to change your passwords if you are concerned someone else has access to your online shopping accounts.

‘Even if the scammer has only used your name and address, we advise you to report the incident to the e-commerce platform so they can investigate and take action against the seller. If you haven’t already, it is also a good idea to set up two-stage verification if you are concerned someone has gained access to your shopping account.

‘Most importantly, you must always check with your bank if there is any indication your financial details have been used or compromised. Staffs Police advises people can also call them on 101 or message using Live Chat on their website. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

‘Of course, before you take any steps, you should check no one else in your household has ordered an item without informing you. That’s a common occurrence if you have a shared family account everyone can access.

‘It’s also possible the online platform has made an error or that the buyer or seller has entered an address incorrectly. It’s a golden rule of e-commerce that rubbish data in equals rubbish data out. Check that’s not what has happened before escalating your concerns to online retail marketplaces or your bank.

‘Christmas can be an overwhelming time for people buying online and mailing presents in time for the Big Day. With many international mailing deadlines coming early, Parcelhero has relaunched our popular Christmas tool in the nick of time. You can now find out the last collection dates for presents to UK and international destinations to help ensure gifts reach their destinations on time.’