Have you received an unwanted parcel? Here's why you should be worried

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/unwanted-parc ... 5ZD-HCOOS0


The packages often contain cheap, low-value items like magnetic eyelashes, pet toys, iPhone cases or frisbees - which people have not bought.

Have you ever opened your door and found a parcel you never ordered that is addressed to you?

It may seem like a nice surprise, but these kind of packages - which often contain cheap, low-value items like magnetic eyelashes, pet toys, iPhone cases or frisbees - are a warning sign of a scam known as "brushing".

Up to 1.1 million households in the UK are thought to have had such packages delivered to their door, according to research by Which, that found 4% of respondents had received unwanted parcels.

What is brushing?
Laura Kankaala, TV presenter and Threat Intelligence Lead at F-Secure, told Yahoo News: “It may be a pleasant surprise receiving an unexpected package, however, this could be a scam referred to as ‘brushing’.

“A brushing scam is a fraudulent scheme where scammers use your name and address to manipulate the sales and review systems on popular e-commerce sites, creating a false reputation for sellers.”

So sellers (often based in China) ‘order’ the goods on your behalf, and then file reviews to gain a coveted five-star rating on platforms like Amazon Marketplace.

With cheap, low-value items like phone cases, it’s more than worth the seller’s while to lose the item in order to gain fraudulent reputation.

How do the scammers get your address?
Often scammers target publicly available addresses - such as businesses - but sometimes the information comes from online leaks.

Kankalaa said, “The packages are often sent to publicly available addresses. If this happens, the less disruptive scenario is that scammers will use your information to create fake accounts in your name and order goods that will be delivered to you.

“As the packages are actually sent out, it makes the transaction seem as if it was legitimate, making it possible to write fake reviews online which appear to be "verified"- making their products seem more desirable. There are also other types of brushing scams in which the scammers may contact you—typically by phone—and harass you for payment or returning of the goods or attempt to trick you into providing more personal information.”

But, more worryingly, a ‘brushing’ scam could also be a warning sign that your name and address have leaked online, Kankalaa warned.

Scammers get addresses from multiple sources, including online data leaks, and even invoices for other purchases on Amazon marketplace.

What should you do if you receive a package?
You should immediately report any unwanted packages, Kankalaa advised.

“If you receive an unwanted package the advice is to report it immediately to the platform from which it appears to originate from," Kankalaa said.

“For instance, if the package is from Amazon, report it directly to Amazon. To protect yourself further, check if your home address is publicly available.”

Googling your name can help, or specialist tools to check if your identity has leaked online can also offer reassurance.

Kankalaa said: “It's crucial to report these instances to the relevant shopping platforms. Stay alert and protect your personal information to ensure a safe and trustworthy online shopping environment for everyone.”

[Mr Rush]

I had a customer in 2021 suddenly start receiving loads of packets being returned to their address that they had not sent. I figured a similar kind of marketplace scam was ocurring and after a few days we had a standing order to scan them as refused. It stopped as quickly as it started.

Welcome to the nightmare that is the 21st century.

[drewdavis]

Humor, Heart and Hard Work: The Meaning Behind Dads Against Weed Shirt

The Dads Against Weed Shirt features a clever play on words that packs some deeper meaning. Beyond just a silly pun, this shirt pays tribute to all the hardworking fathers who maintain tidy yards and gardens for their families.



The perfect blend of humor and respect for hardworking fathers.

A Cheeky Slogan with Layers of Meaning

The slogan "Dads Against Weed" printed beneath the image of a lawnmower is an obvious weed-pulling pun. But it also touches on the dedication fathers have towards keeping a nice landscape. The phrase takes a lighthearted approach to highlighting the time and effort dads put into mowing, trimming, and weeding their yards.

1. A Playful Pun with Deeper Meaning

The literal play on words in "Dads Against Weed" offers an obvious laugh by linking fathers to the task of pulling weeds and keeping yards tidy. However, the slogan also provides a more symbolic, heartfelt meaning by touching on the care and dedication dads show through their gardening efforts.

The cheeky tone transforms necessary yardwork into a silly motto that fathers can chuckle at. But it also highlights how dads devote themselves to creating an enjoyable outdoor space for their family. The phrasing takes a lighthearted approach to capturing the exhausting time and persistence required for lawn care. Even when the never-ending mowing and pruning becomes tedious, fathers keep dutifully working to maintain a pristine landscape.

So while the pun elicits an initial laugh, it also represents a loving message of acknowledgement. The humor makes the deeper meaning fun and engaging rather than sentimental. Ultimately the phrase appreciates fathers for all the hard gardening work they do as caring providers.

2. A Relatable Phrase for Dedicated Dads

For fathers who spend their weekends focused on lawn care, the slogan "Dads Against Weed" will feel especially relatable. Dads who have pushed a mower over every inch of the yard or carefully tended flower beds will appreciate the winking humor directed at their gardening dedication.

The phrase playfully acknowledges the reality that yardwork results in dirty, tiring days that dads would sometimes rather avoid. However, fathers persist in completing outdoor chores out of commitment to their family. They continue mowing, trimming, and pulling weeds to fulfill their role as dutiful caretakers.

So while dads might chuckle and roll their eyes at the slogan “Dads Against Weed,” they also recognize the meaning behind the corny joke. Dads Against Weed T Shirt gives gardening fathers - forced yet again to do battle with encroaching weeds - a chance to laugh together over their shared experiences. For dedicated dads, the motto will be both humorously exaggerated and comfortingly familiar.



For the dad who tackles weeds and wins at family life.

A Relatable Concept for Gardening Dads

For fathers who spend their weekends pushing lawnmowers, trimming hedges, and pulling weeds, this Dads Against Weed shirt will certainly resonate. Dads who devote hours to making sure their yard meets expectations will appreciate the winking humor that acknowledges their labors of care. The lighthearted yet meaningful message captures exactly what it's like to be a dad who continually maintains the landscape for his family's benefit.

Any father who has spent a Saturday afternoon mowing extra slowly to get those crisp lines just right will find the phrase "Dads Against Weed" charmingly relatable. The play on words transforms the dull task of yardwork into a silly motto that every gardening dad can identify with. The tee gives dads a chance to relax and enjoy a laugh at their own expense - after all, they've earned it after a long day of lawn care!

A Thoughtful Gift for the Whole Family

While humorous, the Dads Against Weed Shirt LionKingShirt also carries a sincere message of gratitude. For children especially, this tee provides a subtle way to acknowledge everything their dad does to maintain a flawless yard week after week. The shirt's design shows appreciation for the long hours fathers devote to garden and lawn care.

Both dads and families can appreciate how the shirt lightheartedly yet meaningfully captures the dedication of fathers. The "Dads Against Weed" slogan allows families to recognize that dad doesn't just see yardwork as a chore - he puts in the time as an act of love for his family's benefit. The shirt offers a thoughtful laugh while also letting dads know their efforts don't go unnoticed.

With its clever double meaning slogan and colorful lawnmower design, the Dads Against Weed shirt offers smiles along with heartfelt meaning. It's a thoughtful yet lighthearted way to show dads you notice and value their dedication towards home and family. This playful tee acknowledges the constant hard work fathers put into creating an enjoyable landscape that the whole family can appreciate.

[Wullie10]

To be honest, if the Great British public were given a lot of free plastic tat most would be over the moon. Remember the times when door 2 door items contained freebies ? I was chased down the street for more.