TAT’S ENOUGH
EXPERTS’ WARNING OVER FRAUD SCHEME
Fraudsters are targeting unsuspecting recipients with free tat in a desperate bid to boost their online profiles.
In the new con, called “brushing”, businesses send goods to known addresses, creating a paper trail, then post fake online reviews claiming the “customers” are delighted with them.
Youth worker Rachel Stafford has been swamped with hundreds of unwanted parcels for more than a year despite never placing a order.
Rachel, 23, of Ayr, said: “I’m receiving parcels and it isn’t costing me any money, the cost is to my privacy.
“My online accounts have been cloned and these bandits have my home address and mobile number, which is worrying.
“I’ve tried everything but I can’t stop the deliveries. I can’t take much more.”
The products are sent to real addresses, then the seller writes a positive online review of the items from a bogus buyer account to boost the firm’s online profile a nd imp r o v e its algorithm, helping it to rise up online search engine results.
It is illegal to create fake reviews under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which prohibit unfair commerical practices.
Instead, cloned accounts are created and parcels sent so there is a trail if a company is ever asked questions.
Rachel noticed problems in January last year when she received a package that seemed to come from Kukubird, of Manchester.
She said: “It contained a purse which featured a picture of a scarylooking cat and a panda wearing an astronaut’s helmet. I buy a lot of things online but I hadn’t ordered that.”
Rachel contacted Kukubird but a second parcel arrived from the same firm. The phone was put down on her when she rang again. The problem then escalated.
She said: “I started to receive parcels from China, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. They had my name, address and mobile number on the labels.” Since then, Rachel has received scarves, jewellery, hair accessor ies, ornaments, pencil cases, audio cables and paper fans.
Other victims received fake designer goods. Allan Coulter received a consignment of fake Ray-Ban sunglasses from the Netherlands.
Allan, 59, of Kilmarnock, passed the package to Trading Standards, which started an investigation.
The retired civil engineer said: “I’ve no idea how they got my address.”
Action Fraud said: “If you’re concerned that your identity may have been stolen, check your credit rating online. It will also show what credit accounts are set up in your name.”
Fiona Richardson, chief officer for Trading Standards Scotland, said: “If a parcel turns up which you’re not expecting, contact the seller.
“Change any passwords you have with the provider and if you have saved card details, cancel those cards and order new ones.” The Royal Mail said it is trying to assist with Rachel’s problem.
Kukubird didn’t respond to our request for comment.