During closing, many of us have chosen to buy food online so we can deliver things, and that’s understandable.
But as a result, other people have forgotten what they have asked for and, unfortunately, the criminals have benefited completely.
Surrey police have now issued a warning to others about suspicious Amazon packages sent to others who did not order them.
A Facebook post from the force read: “Have you recently won a package that you did not order from Amazon? There have been several recent reports in the UK of a ‘brush scam’, involving Amazon dealers creating accounts on a call from a stranger and send them products they didn’t order.
These accounts are then used to write fake verified reviews in an attempt to improve the seller’s ratings. Some of those packages are shipped from China, and the content is indexed as jewelry.
“When they open, they involve seeds. If you get a pack of seeds you ordered, please plant them.
“The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) warns that, if the seeds have been planted, remove the plants safely by hitting them in a double-coated bag. Close them solidly. Throw away trash (not the waste garden) to make sure it reaches a registered landfill.
“If you have unseeded seeds, send them in your original envelope or packaging to: Paul Bratby, APHA-PHSI, 2d Floor Apex Court, City Link, Nottingham, NG2 4LA
“The seeds will be destroyed through the APHA in their name. You can send an email to PlantHealth. Info@apha. gov. uk for advice.
“If you won deliveries of Amazon packages that you ordered or paid for, we also suggest that you replace your account password, cancel your account card, and report those packages to Amazon so they can investigate. “
According to the Mirror, loose packages are sent to others in exchange for false warnings.
Because there is no record of the ordered item, they are “free”, however, distributors contacted the recipients and asked them for fake reviews in return.
Surrey police warned that this may be just a component of a ‘brushing scam’, where false criticisms of a seller’s rating are published.
Adam French, consumer rights editor at Which? He told The Sun: “If you get something you didn’t order unexpectedly, don’t open it.
“Contact the store and tell him he didn’t order it and tell him he should return it. “