Unsolicited Packages Could Signal Identity Risk, BBB Warns Locals

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about a nationwide brushing scam that has started appearing in local mailboxes, delivering unsolicited packages that can be a red flag for identity exposure and fake online reviews. The scam involves third party sellers shipping items to real addresses where recipients did not place orders, then using those deliveries to post fake positive reviews and inflate sales numbers. Packages often arrive with unusual packaging or QR codes that can trigger further fraud if scanned.

The BBB column included an Ohio consumer example to illustrate how residents may first learn they are part of a brushing scheme, typically by receiving a small, unexpected order. Local residents should treat any unexpected package as a potential sign that their contact or account information has been used without consent. The immediate economic risk is twofold. First, consumers face potential identity theft if account credentials or personal details were exposed. Second, market signals are distorted when fake reviews boost the apparent popularity of products, undercutting trust in online marketplaces and harming local businesses that compete honestly.

Practical steps recommended for Holmes County residents begin with simple verification. Check whether a package was intended as a gift or shared purchase, review online order histories for suspicious transactions, and report the receipt to the retailer, for example Amazon, so the platform can investigate the seller. Change passwords on affected accounts and monitor credit reports and billing statements for unfamiliar activity. Do not scan QR codes on unexpected items, and decline or refuse delivery if you suspect fraud.

For community impact, homeowners and older residents should be especially vigilant because unsolicited shipments can be one of the first signs of wider data exposure. Local businesses that sell online should audit review activity and be prepared to report fraudulent reviews to marketplace administrators. Over the longer term, brushing scams reflect broader trends in online retail growth and the challenges regulators and platforms face in policing third party sellers. Staying alert, verifying orders, and promptly reporting suspicious shipments will help protect households and preserve trust in online commerce for the Holmes County community.