Australians are being sent unsolicited parcels as part of a new scam where recipients unlock strange items, including torn fabrics or stuffed animals.
The new “brushing†scam, which will see a person receive a random, worthless item they did not buy, has been widely reported in recent weeks.
The package usually contains a QR code that prompts the person to scan it for curiosity, where it takes them to a phishing website.
Another reason someone might receive the parcel is that fraudsters can use it as “proof of delivery” to write a fake review for their business, under the name of the real recipient, to boost their retail profile.
In recent weeks, social media groups have been flooded with reports of fraud.
A recipient in Alexandria in Sydney’s inner west said they received a notification from Australia Post before the item arrived.
The package came in a pink bag and contained pieces of fabric.
“I wasn’t sure what it was as I wasn’t expecting anything,” the poster wrote.
“Does anyone know if this is something I should report or what it could potentially be or why this happened? Crazy!
The package said it came from a post box in the village of Dingley in Victoria, Australia, with many others reporting the same.
“I was handed the same thing this morning! It was like socks, but with holes in them. So strange! And yes from Dingley too, – replied one person.
Other posters reported receiving stinky rags, stuffed toys, pillows and even flower petals.
“It was weird because I was getting emails about a package being delivered by Auspost,” wrote one Reddit poster.
“He had my address and full name number.â€
Amazon has a warning on their website about scams that says third-party sellers are prohibited from doing so.
“When a customer receives a package they did not order, it may be a scam sometimes called ‘brushing,'” Amazon says on their website.
Brushing scams occur when bad actors send packages to publicly available names and addresses.
“If you receive a package you didn’t order, confirm it’s not a gift for you. Check with friends and family, use the self-service form to report it to our investigations team.”
ACCC deputy chairwoman Catriona Lowe said parcel fraud always spikes around Christmas time.
“Many Australians will be waiting for parcels to be delivered both before Christmas and after the Boxing Day sales and you can be sure that fraudsters will be looking to take advantage of this,” ACCC deputy chairwoman Catriona Lowe said.
“Our advice to consumers is to never click on links in text messages or emails, even if you’re expecting a delivery. Instead, consumers should check the status of their delivery independently by going to the Australia app Post or website or courier service from which they expect the delivery.â€
In 2023, Australians lost $1.6 billion to fraud, down 13 percent from the previous year.
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Image Source : nypost.com