You check your front door and find a surprise package waiting for you to open. For a moment, you realize you haven’t ordered anything. But when you open the mystery package, you find a “luxury” item, like a ring, beauty product, or even a Bluetooth speaker. What seems like a free gift might actually be part of a scam known as a “brushing scam.”

Brushing scams occur when fraudsters send unsolicited items in an effort to manipulate online reviews. They use your address or personal information to ship the goods and then post fake reviews in your name, boosting the product’s sales. While it might seem harmless, it’s a red flag that your personal information could be compromised, leading to bigger issues like identity theft.

Here’s how to protect yourself if you receive a package you didn’t order:

1. Change your online passwords: Update your login details for online shopping accounts to secure your data.
2. Notify the platform: If the package came from an online marketplace like Amazon, contact the platform to report the incident.
3. Monitor your credit: Regularly check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com for any unusual activity.
4. Don’t contact the sender: Avoid engaging with the sender, as they may attempt to gather more personal information from you.

Keep the item and report the situation to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Protecting your personal information is key to safeguarding your finances.