JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 A Jacksonville man is warning others after receiving what appeared to be a harmless package in his mailbox last week \u2014 only to discover it may be connected to a growing nationwide \u201cbrushing scam.\u201d<\/p>\n
Danny Grabill said he found a small rolled-up mailer in his mailbox and initially thought little of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was rolled up,\u201d Grabill said.<\/p>\n
But after opening it, he quickly became suspicious.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I saw the bag, I instantly went, ew,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Inside the package was an empty mailer and a QR code that Grabill said he nearly scanned. After searching the sender name, \u201cDavve Garzaz,\u201d online, he said he found hundreds of complaints from people across the country reporting similar mailings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is happening all over the nation. These packages are going everywhere,\u201d Grabill said.<\/p>\n
Consumer protection experts say the packages may be tied to a brushing scam, where unsolicited deliveries are used to create fake verified purchases and boost online seller ratings.<\/p>\n
The Better Business Bureau said it has only recently started receiving reports connected to the scam, but complaints are rapidly increasing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen a huge influx of the volume of consumers coming here to report this very situation, over 2,000 people in the last month,\u201d BBB CEO Holly Salmon said.<\/p>\n
Salmon said scammers are relying on curiosity to lure victims into scanning QR codes included in the packages.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat scammers are hoping is that you will scan that QR code. The risk then begins there,\u201d Salmon said. \u201cBest case scenario they\u2019re hoping for some sort of online purchase. Or they\u2019re going to lead you to a situation where they\u2019re going to ask you for personal information.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grabill said he worries older adults could be especially vulnerable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many gullible senior citizens that they\u2019re preying on, and they don\u2019t know,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The BBB advises consumers not to scan QR codes or interact with unexpected packages from unknown senders.<\/p>\n
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