The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is warning employees and contractors to stay alert for brushing scams, a deceptive practice that may seem harmless but can open the door to identity theft and other cybercrimes.
Brushing happens when third-party sellers ship low-value items, such as household goods or gadgets, to people who never ordered them. The goal is to boost product ratings and visibility by posing as verified buyers and posting fake positive reviews, USPS said.
While the surprise deliveries might look like freebies, they often mean that criminals have access to personal details like your name, address and phone number, the postal service warned. Once exposed online, the information can be exploited for fraudulent schemes.
USPS is advising anyone who received an unsolicited package