A brush with online fraud: What are brushing scams and how do I stay safe?

This article explains e-commerce brushing scams, where sellers use victims’ addresses to ship unsolicited low-value items and then post fake positive reviews to boost product rankings. It highlights associated risks, including the likelihood that personal data is circulating on criminal forums, potential escalation to identity fraud, and QR code phishing/malware embedded in packages. The piece provides clear guidance on recognizing signs of brushing, checking accounts and credit, enabling MFA, reporting to marketplaces, and reducing data exposure via privacy hygiene and data broker opt-outs. It emphasizes ongoing vigilance and identity protection measures to reduce risk.