Why is the Brushing Scam so Dangerous?
Brushing scams do not affect you directly, as getting free items does not pose any threats, but why you are getting them is problematic. It has some indications that raise serious security and privacy concerns. So, here are some clear indications that indicate the potential danger behind brushing scams:
1. Identity and Data Theft
If you are getting free, cheap packets from e-commerce platforms and there are reviews on the internet written in your name, then it is a problematic condition. It means that scammers have your name, phone number, and other personal details like addresses and places you work. They are selling and giving away this info to black hats, third parties, e-commerce platforms, etc. It means that you have lost your privacy and online security. All your private and sensitive details are available out there to be used and exploited for malicious acts. Scammers can create fake accounts using your private details to mislead and defraud innocent people.
2. Fake Reviews and Brand Manipulation
When scammers use your personal details to commit brushing scams, they can mislead other people by posting fake five-star reviews in your name. It enhances the product ranking online and misleads other people into believing in the fake and low-quality products. It damages the marketplace integrity of popular online shopping platforms and damages people`s trust in their services.
3. Financial Fraud Risk
When you receive items at your address, they may ask you for payment. Even if you don’t pay for the package, scammers do it just for the sake of future credit fraud and larger shipments. They can use your personal details to get a credit card issued in your name and steal all the money from it, while it is you who has to pay for the stolen amount. Along with this, scammers will charge your account if they obtained it from a hacked shopping profile. These are all indications that you are exposed to a wide range of security and privacy threats.
4. Illegal Goods or Counterfeits
In brushing scams, you can also get illegal, unlawful, and unsafe items in the packages. These activities can drag you into custom investigations if law enforcement authorities track them. You may end up entangled with the state authorities, which can lead to serious consequences. It may damage your public reputation and bar you from getting normal utilities.
5. Proof of an Ongoing Data Breach
Brushing scams are a clear indication that your personal details have been leaked on the dark web. Someone already knows all about you, and they are manipulating this information to do malicious activities. They can launch different types of cyber attacks on you, such as phishing, loan scams, job scams, banking, and delivery scams. You may face danger coming from all sides.
6. Creates a False Sense of Safety
Yes! It creates a false sense of safety when someone receives a free parcel from the e-commerce platforms because they didn’t lose any money, or didn’t share any bank details, or any other details. So at the initial stage, it all looks like no danger here, just a mix-up of a gift. Parcels seem to come from legitimate companies, and everything about them is safe and secure. When you see no immediate consequences, you lower your guard and become relaxed. This false sense of security is one of the most dangerous things that brushing scams cause. Because you are already at the receiving end of more serious consequences.
How can you Stay Safe from Brushing Scams?
Fraudsters and cybercrooks are active all the time, and they use different tools and tactics to scam you and defraud you. You have to stay alert and aware of new scams going on in the market to stay safe. Bad actors leave no stone unturned to attack you and drag you into their trap. They can give free gifts and deliver packets to beguile you and trick you. This is what they also do in brushing scams. You never get any clue about the coming danger, but still fall into it. But with the right safety measures and practices, you can avert these online threats. Here are effective ways that can help you deal with brushing scams:
1. Don’t Accept Free Delivery Packets
- If you receive a package you didn’t order, do not take it as a random promotion or giveaway.
- Treat it as a warning sign that your personal data (name, phone number, or address) may have been leaked.
- What you need to do is to note the sender’s details, but don’t get excited or curious about the gift.
2. Never Post a Review for Items You Didn’t Order
- Scammers use brushing scams to boost fake reviews. They post five-star reviews in your name by creating a fake account with your details.
- In this regard, you should check your online shopping profiles on Amazon, Flipkart, etc., for any reviews you didn’t write.
- If you find any reviews written in your name and remember that you never wrote them, then immediately delete or report fake reviews.
3. Report the Incident to the Platform
Each marketplace has a reporting process
- Go to “Report Unwanted Package” under Customer Service at the official website of the e-commerce company from which you are getting the package.
- Contact customer care and provide tracking details to the companies that are involved in delivering you the package without your placing any order.
- Inform the courier company that the shipment was uninvited or unasked and ask them to provide the details of who sent them.
- Along with all the above actions, you must report to help platforms flag the seller and prevent further scams.
4. Secure Your Online Accounts
You need to secure your data on online accounts. Brushing scams happen because your data is exposed somewhere. Hence, you must:
- Change your passwords for online shopping, email, and social media.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each site.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for added protection. - Avoid saving card details on shopping platforms.
5. Check if Your Data Was Leaked
- Go to HaveIBeenPwned.com, a free and trusted site.
- Enter your email or phone number to see if it was part of any data breach.
- If your personal details and privacy are compromised, then change passwords and monitor related accounts for unusual activity.
6. Monitor Your Financial Accounts
- Even though brushing scams don’t ask for money directly, they can test the validity of your details for later fraud.
- Regularly review bank statements and credit card transactions.
- Set up SMS or email alerts for every transaction.
7. Don’t Interact with the Sender
- Avoid scanning any QR codes, visiting links, or calling numbers on the package.
- Scammers may use those to phish information or verify your identity.
- If you must contact someone, only do it through official customer service channels of the marketplace or the user.
