New ‘brushing’ scam sees people receiving unsolicited packages full of trash: ‘Freaking out!’

Australians are being sent unsolicited parcels as part of a new scam where recipients unbox bizarre items including ripped-up fabrics or stuffed animals.

The new scam – “brushing” – will see a person receive a random, valueless item they have not purchased, which has been reported in droves over recent weeks.

The package typically contains a QR code that leads the person to scan it out of curiosity, where it takes them to a scam delivery website.

The other reason one might receive the parcel is so scammers can use it as a “proof of delivery” to write a fake review about their own business, under the real recipient’s name, to boost their retail profile.

In recent weeks, social media groups have been flooded with reports of the scam.

One 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 bits 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 need to report or what it could potentially be or why this has happened? Freaking out!”

The package said it came from a PO Box in Dingley Village in Victoria, Australia, with many others reporting the same.

“I had the same delivered to me this morning! It was like socks but with holes in them. So weird! And yes from Dingley too,” one person replied.

Other posters reported receiving stinky rags, stuffed toys, pillows and even flower petals.

“It was weird because I was receiving emails about a parcel being delivered from Auspost,” one Reddit poster wrote.

“It had my full name address and number on it.”

Amazon has a warning on their website about brushing scams which says third-party sellers are prohibited from doing so.

“When a customer receives a package they didn’t 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 that you didn’t order, confirm it’s not a gift to you. Check with friends and family, use the self-service form to report it to our investigations team.”

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said package scams always ramp up around Christmas time.

“Many Australians will be waiting for parcels to be delivered both ahead of Christmas and following the Boxing Day sales and you can be sure that scammers will be looking to take advantage of this,” ACCC Deputy Chair 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 independently check the status of their delivery by going to the Australia Post app or website or the courier service they’re expecting the delivery from.”

In 2023, Australians lost $1.6 billion USD to scams, down 13 percent compared to the year before.