Brushing: How this scam tries to get you to pay for items you never ordered

A scam that starts online has people receiving packages on their doorsteps that they never ordered.

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It’s called the “brushing” scam. Experts say it’s something all consumers must be on the lookout for, because it means scammers could have your personal information.

"It can be from a minor irritation to a major problem for you,” said WHIO Consumer Advisor Clark Howard.

Brushing in its most harmless form is a plot by companies selling on items online shopping sites, like Amazon, to drive up positive reviews. Experts say they will create fake sales, so they can give themselves fake positive reviews.

But, as Howard explained, there’s also a version of the scam aimed at turning a profit at your expense. By the time victims realize they’ve been targeted, the scammers already have their personal information.

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"The greatest harm in these situations is where they’re diverting the packages,” Howard said. “They have packages delivered to you, they’re following the tracking of the delivery…and before you know it – somebody’s come to your house – picked that package up – they have the merchandise – but you’re the one that the company that sent it is looking to pay for the package you didn’t order for it, you didn’t know about it."

So how can you protect yourself?

Howard says the two best methods are buying an inexpensive home security camera, so you can monitor who steps on your front porch at all times. He also suggests placing a call whenever you receive a package you did not order, so you are on record with the company.

Huber Heights Police Sgt. David Garlow also had a reminder of how to best avoid becoming a victim in the first place: avoid giving out personal information as much as possible.

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"You’d be surprised at how sophisticated the scammers can be,” he said. “They just need a little bit of information, they can do some google searches and find out quite a bit about you, and you don’t need a headache."