Brits issued major warning as mystery package scams soar | UK | News
Shoppers in the UK have been warned to be wary of fraudsters stealing their personal data as part of so-called “scrubbing” scams. The fraud tactic is used by online sellers to inflate review scores and often involves illegally obtaining personal details through data breaches in order to ship unwanted products to unsuspecting addresses.
Relying on positive reviews and high sales figures, sellers can create a fake account in their victim’s name and post a verified but fake review praising the products. While it doesn’t pose any danger to those unknowingly involved in the scam, it could be a sign that their personal data has been compromised, putting potentially unsafe items at risk of entering their home. Oliver Devane, of security company McAfee, said reports of fraudulent activity were increasing and urged caution over the often cheap and low-quality items involved.
he said Guard: “If it’s a small toy you give to your child, you have no idea about its quality… that’s a risk in itself. You have no idea where it comes from, what’s inside.”
Mr Devane said the seemingly innocent practice could also mask something more dangerous.
In some cases, scammers send QR codes or USB sticks to stolen addresses in the hope that recipients will insert them into their devices, releasing harmful malware that can steal more of their data.
Scams can occur throughout the year but often ramp up during Christmas and busy shopping seasons.
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The term “scrubbing” fraud comes from the world of e-commerce, which has boomed globally in recent years as shoppers increasingly turn away from the high street and onto their phones and computers.
This refers to the seller’s tactic of “refreshing” sales by creating fake orders and reviews, and emerged as an issue in the mid-to-late 2010s. Which one? An investigation is being launched into the trend in 2018.
People concerned about being victimized can take precautions, such as monitoring their online accounts and making sure there are no unauthorized orders, enabling two-factor authentication, and avoiding using or consuming anything that shows up unexpectedly in the shipment.
