Unordered package at your door? It could be a scam!

Did you get a package delivery that you didn’t order?

Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker shows people getting surprise jewelry boxes, bracelets, phone cords, nail kits, toys for pets and more.

A San Diego woman says she received “a package from Amazon with a plastic clipboard” and no packing slip.

Another California complainant says they received a “ring in a red box with a card that asked me to register my purchase. I did not make the purchase.”

What could be wrong with free products being delivered to your home?

Turns out, you could have been targeted for a recent scam called “brushing.”

Brushing scams usually  involve international 3rd party sellers wanting to increase sales of a product.

They create a fake order, find addresses online and deliver a typically small, inexpensive item.

After delivery, they write a fake 5-star positive review about the product in the recipient’s name.

That’s the pay off.

The fake reviews can fraudulently boost ratings and sales numbers.

Legally, you can keep unordered deliveries without returning.

If the package is unopened and there is a return address, you can write “return to sender” on the package and the US Postal Service says it will be delivered at no charge to you.

So, you may think that no one is hurt and brushing is a victimless crime.

Authorities say that’s not true.

Fake reviews can lead to bad news 

Fake reviews could lead buyers to potentially bad products.

Also, scammers know your address and are using your name to leave bogus reviews.

In some cases, there are QR codes or registration requests in the box. They are also part of the scam.

On its website, Amazon says check with family and friends to confirm it’s not a gift.

If not, report it to Amazon.

amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G33XVXQPUV79Z2ZC

Also, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at: ftc.gov/media/71268, the California Attorney General’s office at: oag.ca.gov/consumers, and BBB Scam Tracker bbb.org/scamtracker so others can see it.

Avoid scams when hiring, go to: bbb.org and look for a trusted accredited business.

And see all of the latest scams at: bbb.org/local/1126/joe-knows-better.