Beware of Smishing Scams Impersonating USPS, Warns Authorities

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has issued a warning about a scam known as "brushing," where recipients receive unsolicited packages containing various items that were not ordered. The sender, usually an international third-party seller, aims to create the impression that the recipient is a verified buyer who has written positive online reviews of the merchandise. This helps fraudulently boost the products' ratings and sales numbers. While seemingly victimless, brushing can compromise personal identification and expose individuals to identity theft. To protect oneself, recipients should not pay for the merchandise, mark unopened packages as "return to sender," and closely monitor credit reports and credit card bills.