A brushing scam is a fraudulent practice used by unethical sellers on e-commerce platforms to boost their product ratings and generate fake publicity. The scam involves sending unsolicited packages to random individuals and using their names and addresses to post fake five-star reviews. These reviews improve the product's standing in online marketplaces, making it appear more credible and desirable.

Instead of being a random act of kindness, receiving these surprise packages is often a red flag that your personal information may have been compromised.