Usually, it’s a pleasant surprise when you receive a package in the mail unexpectedly. Maybe it’s a gift or an online order you had forgotten about.
But when package after package starts showing up from a stranger, and the contents become increasingly random, that excitement can quickly turn into fear and confusion.
A month ago, TikToker Skye (@skyemartin_) received a random package in the mail. It had the correct address and her first and last name on it. But when she opened it, there was nothing inside.
The next day, she checked the mail and found another similar package from the same person. This time, there was a cheap little ring. The next one came with a pair of earrings, and a third contained a necklace.
She doesn’t know who is sending her these packages or how they know their address. Then, most recently, she received 10 packages.
She opened the bigger ones and found some more bizarre items, including two 2025 calendars featuring the world’s greatest mullets, a bracelet, and other jewelry.
So far, Skye has amassed a growing collection of packages and has no idea what’s going on. She suspected that a scammer might be trying to get her to scan QR codes or click on a malicious link, but of course, she’s not falling for that. Now, she’s trying to figure out what is happening and looking for advice on what to do.
In the comments section, many people thought it was what’s called a brushing scam. This type of scam involves online sellers sending packages that you never ordered to your address in an attempt to boost their own product ratings and search rankings.
The scammer uses unsuspecting people’s information to pose as verified buyers. Brushing scams are becoming more and more common. They are illegal in the United States and other countries.
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“Hello, USPS employee here. It’s definitely a brushing scam! We’ve been seeing a major increase in them lately. Please report it to the postal inspector!” exclaimed one user.
“Do not open up any more mail. Go to the post office and tell them you’re receiving random packages with no sender. They’re not supposed to be sending packages or mail with no sender on it,” advised another.
“It’s probably that scam where they use your name and information so they can put false reviews for their product and then send it to you. It happened to my mom,” commented a third.
“Girl!! This happened to me once! But inside my package was a random piece of cardboard cut out from something,” added someone else.
Overall, Skye’s experience is just another example of scammers exploiting online marketplaces and leaving bewildered recipients with a pile of random trinkets and more questions than answers.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
