discussion Anyone here been a victim of brushing?

[Marzipan]

Brushing Scams: Here’s Why You’re Getting Random Packages

Across the United States and other countries, millions of people are surprised to receive packages they never ordered. In most cases, the source is a scam called “brushing.” Here’s why you’re getting free loot.

www.howtogeek.com

first I've heard of 'brushing' and not a surprise it's common in the US, due to the population density...made me wonder if it's happening much in Canada.

 

[sswilson]

This has apparently been going on for quite some time (pretty sure it's at least a couple of years since I first heard of it).

I haven't received anything like this, the closest I get are spam emails asking me if I'd be interested in trialing a "new" amazon product. (I'm not sure if these are straight up spam, or targeted since I've got a fairly unique email address).

 

[JD]

There's legit companies that do a pretty similar thing. Like this one that Ecobee uses: https://www.influenster.com/. How honest are the reviews when you give people free stuff? I think the main thought that comes to mind is "damn, I spent $300 on this piece of junk". Removing the cost leaves little to complain about. There's a whole 3 reviews on Ecobee that don't say "received free product"...

Hard to trust any review these days.

 

[Marzipan]

This has apparently been going on for quite some time (pretty sure it's at least a couple of years since I first heard of it).

I haven't received anything like this, the closest I get are spam emails asking me if I'd be interested in trialing a "new" amazon product. (I'm not sure if these are straight up spam, or targeted since I've got a fairly unique email address).

unique@sswilson.ca or .com?

 

[sswilson]

Nope, nothing like that, it's just a fair bit longer than normal so it's out of the range of most spam auto-generate bots/apps.

 

[Soultribunal]

Never seen anything like this happen to me, personally.
I do remember the old days as a mail carrier (when I was a kid) getting free samples occasionally to deliver in my Postal Code region, but I've never see someone just drop something off randomly at my house.
Though now I'm in a small township, so that is even less likely to happen (Ironically, since all stores and such are at most 5min away from me, my amazon purchases are WAY down, when I had to drive across town in a City of 700,000 in traffic , with idiot drivers, I prefered to order online).

-ST

 

[Lysrin]

Finally read the article linked. Sheesh... another example of why we can't have nice things! If there's a way to cheat or distort the system, people will use their big-brain intellect to find it!

I will admit I have bought the highly rated item on Amazon, for example, over another product, especially if the price is comparable. You don't have a lot of other criteria to go by in those cases. I knew fake reviews were there, but I didn't realise this method of getting around the "verified purchase" qualifier.

I haven't been "brushed" to date. My area must be small enough or less attractive somehow

 

[Izerous]

Never heard of it before this article. I already barely just trusted amazon reviews this doesn't help.

 

[Valkyrie]

Hasn't happened here yet. Agree with the "why we can't have nice things" sentiment @Lysrin . Seems there's always some folks gaming the system. I refer to them as criminals.

 

[moocow]

Never happened to me but seem to be less serious than these kind of unwanted goods showing up at your door.

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