"Fraudsters need your postage details, which they will often obtain through a data breach. They then set up a false online account in your name on the shopping site they are selling their goods on and post a fake verified and positive review, apparently from you, about the products you have received. These positive five-star reviews brush up their online ranking on the shopping site and also their credibility."
"Oliver Devane of the security company McAfee says the goods need to be sent to the customer in order for a purchase and review to be verified. These fake verified reviews are often paid for. While it may appear to be a victim-free scam, it could highlight that your personal details have been hacked. It also risks bringing potentially harmful toys or cosmetics into your home, says Devane."
Brushing fraud involves criminals obtaining people’s postage details, often via data breaches, then creating false accounts and completing purchases in victims’ names. The scammers send unsolicited cheap goods to victims to fulfill marketplace requirements that a purchase was made and to enable posting of a verified review. Fake five-star reviews, sometimes paid for, raise product ranking and seller credibility on shopping platforms, potentially increasing sales. Packages typically contain low-quality items such as flimsy jewellery, key-chain gadgets, homeware, or seeds, and deliveries peak during busy shopping periods. Unsolicited items can pose safety risks and indicate that personal data has been compromised.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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