JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A bra, shoelaces, a toy car and little mermaid stickers. These are some the items one local man says he got from Amazon that he didn't order.
Today, he received yet another unsolicited package – five pairs of socks.
It’s called the brushing scam and it’s happening all over the country.
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Gene Hope didn’t think anything of it at first.
“I’m thinking I’m getting somebody else’s packages no big deal, I just throw it away,” said Hope.
But the packages kept coming.
“I get this package which is a strapless bra and it’s a glue on bra size D and you know I don’t know exactly what a size D is but it’s not my size,” said Hope.
He received seven packages and counting including a remote-control toy car.
It’s become a joke in his family but Hope later realized it was no laughing matter and worries it could escalate.
“They could be sending anything, they could be sending counterfeit money, sending drugs, fake pills, all kinds of stuff,” said Hope.
Hope tried calling Amazon but says he only had a tracking number and no sender listed on the packages. He claims Amazon couldn’t give him anymore details citing privacy reasons.
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If you’re “brushed” it means details like your name, home address and even your phone number have been compromised.
For the scammers, the goal is often to game the review system.
The seller could turn around and pose as a verified buyer to write fake positive reviews on Amazon.
Action News Jax consumer adviser Clark Howard said, if you're targeted contact Amazon right away.
“I’d like for you to do it other than a phone call where you have some record that you show that you have complained to them,” said Howard.
Amazon sent this statement to Action News Jax: “We are investigating this customer's inquiry about unsolicited packages, as this would violate our policies. We remove sellers in violation of these policies, withhold payments, and work with law enforcement to take appropriate action.”
Hope said Amazon has also recommended that he change his password.
He now wants his story to serve as a warning for others.
"Free will cost you in the long run trust me," said Hope.
Howard said once your personal information is out, there’s not much you could do but going forward you should be leery of buying items on Amazon that come from third parties sellers.
Cox Media Group
