Why did I get an email about a package I didn't order?

Officials are concerned more consumers will fall for the scam as they do more and more shopping on line. Examples of these emails are fake notices, which may be shipping notices, package delivery notices or "order status" emails.

Why am I receiving packages I never ordered?

If you receive a package that you did not order and is not a gift, report it immediately. When a customer receives a package they didn't order, it may be a scam called "brushing". "Brushing" scams occur when bad actors send packages to publicly available names and addresses.

Why do I keep getting emails about a package?

Bottom line: Any email you receive from a package delivery service should be assumed to be a fraudulent email because these companies rarely contact a customer directly via email.

What happens if you receive something you didn't order?

Your Rights When You Get Unordered Merchandise

By law, companies can't send unordered merchandise to you, then demand payment. That means you never have to pay for things you get but didn't order. You also don't need to return unordered merchandise. You're legally entitled to keep it as a free gift.

Should I open a package I didn't order?

If you get a package you didn't order in the mail, you shouldn't open it. Packages are sometimes dropped off at the wrong location, so you might receive a package that's meant for someone else. But if you get a package you didn't order and see your name and address on the box, you should avoid opening it.

Received an Amazon package you didn’t order? It could be a scam

What is a brushing scheme?

“Brushing” is when a scammer finds a consumer's personal information and ships goods that they did not order. The fraudster then writes reviews in the recipient's name with the objective of falsely boosting the ratings or reputation of a company.

Why would a scammer send me a package?

If you get merchandise you didn't order, it could mean that scammers have created an account in your name or taken over your account, an FTC spokesperson said in an email. Scammers may have even created new accounts in other names tied to your address, allowing them to post lots of seemingly-real reviews.

Can I find out who sent me a package?

You can't. The tracking number will only give you the post office of origin, not the name of a person.

Is it legal to keep a package accidentally delivered to you?

Legally, you're allowed to keep a mistaken delivery. Surprising, right? The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has rules that allow you to keep merchandise that's wrongly delivered — even if you didn't pay for it. The logic is that sellers can't just send you goods and demand money for them.

Can you track a scammer?

IP tracing

An IP address can be used to trace the location of the scammer if the IP address is not hidden using a VPN or other means. There are a variety of ways to obtain someone's IP address.

What are two main signs of spam emails?

Should you ignore spam emails?

While filtering addresses some spam emails, you should outright block spam email addresses that are persistent, dangerous, or fake. And remember to report any internet scams you come across, such as Apple ID phishing scams and other threats.

Where do spammers get your email address from?

Crawling the web for the @ sign – Spammers and cybercriminals use sophisticated tools to scan the web and harvest email addresses. If you publicly post your email address online (forums, Facebook etc), a spammer will find it. Another tactic employed by spammers to discover email addresses is to search common sources.

Why is brushing called brushing?

The term brushing comes from a translation of the Chinese word for cleaning, according to Hamerstone. “[It's] similar to how in English we talk about money laundering even though it has nothing to do with detergent and washing machines, because it makes the illicit money 'clean,'” he explains.

What to do if you get a mysterious package?

Can you open a package that has your address but not your name?

Can you open a package that has your address but not your name? No, you cannot. If it is addressed to somebody else with the wrong address (yours) but the correct name (theirs), it would be theft by conversion.

Can I keep an Amazon package that was delivered to me by mistake?

It's not illegal to keep a package that you didn't order. The Federal Trade Commission states that you don't need to pay or return a package that was accidentally sent to you.

How do you find out who sent you a package from USPS?

Identifying the Sender

Visit USPS.com and submit the tracking number. The tracking system may only provide you with the city, state and zip code of the sender, but this may be all the information you need to determine the sender's identity.

Can you get in trouble opening a package that isn't yours?

The short answer is “yes.” Opening or destroying mail that is addressed to someone else is a crime called “Obstruction of Correspondence.” It is a serious felony that could lead to prison time. It is remarkably easy to find yourself charged with this crime, even if you didn't mean to do anything wrong.

How can someone send me a package without knowing my address?

What happens if I get someone's package?

When you receive a mistaken delivery, call customer service for the delivery company and explain the situation. Give them the tracking number on the package, as well as the name and address on the package if it's different from yours. The company will come and pick up the product within a reasonable time frame.

Who is the sender for a package?

The sender, in shipping, is the person or entity who wants to transport goods to another destination. The logistics company collects the shipment from the sender and provides the delivery service to the location of their choice. ARE YOU A BUSINESS?

What are the red flags of a scammer?

Scam artists aim fake invoices, phony debt collection notices, and spam emails at unsuspecting consumers hoping they will pay before checking their records. You should never send money or provide personal information to unknown or unfamiliar people or entities.

Should I be worried if a scammer has my address?

There are several things that a scammer can do with your address and phone number, which is why you should always be wary when someone asks for this information if you're not sure who they are or what they want. Identity theft is one of the main reasons someone might ask for this information.

Should I be worried if I gave a scammer my address?

✅ Take action: If scammers change your address, your bank account, credit card, and other accounts could be at risk.