It’s an unexpected surprise that’s been popping up “all over the country,” according to the Better Business Bureau. People are receiving boxes of unordered merchandise from Amazon.
The companies, usually foreign, third-party sellers that are sending the items are simply using your address and your Amazon information. Their intention is to make it appear as though you wrote a glowing online review of their merchandise, and that you are a verified buyer of that merchandise. They then post a fake, positive review to improve their products’ ratings, which means more sales for them. The payoff is highly profitable from their perspective…
The fake online review angle is only one way they benefit…they also are increasing their sales numbers. After all, they aren’t really purchasing the items since the payment goes right back to them…. Then there is the “porch pirate” angle. There have been instances where thieves used other people’s mailing addresses and accounts, then watched for the delivery of the package so they can steal it from your door before you get it…
The fact that someone was able to have the items sent to you as if you purchased them indicates that they probably have some of your Amazon account information. Certainly, they have your name and address and possibly, your phone number and a password. The company either hacked your account themselves or purchased the information from a hacker.
The BBB notes that although it’s strange to receive boxes of unordered merchandise, “You are allowed to keep it. The Federal Trade Commission says you have a legal right to keep unordered merchandise.”
“The bigger issue is: What do you do about your information having been obtained by crooks?”
of this story at Slashdot.
Source:: Slashdot