A popular online pet supply company is the most recent target of a brushing scheme. Consumers have reported to BBB about mysterious packages from Chewy.com — A BBB Accredited business — arriving at the doorstep with items that are unrelated to the pets in the household.
(Photo from BBB)
This practice, called brushing, isn’t new and can affect any business or any consumer. Last fall, numerous items were sent from Amazon ranging from hand warmers to bigger items such as a vacuum cleaners to consumers who never ordered or requested them. The only gain the sender, usually a third-party vendor not from the U.S, is hoping for is the recipient will actually use the item post a review as a verified buyer of the merchandise to help drive sales. BBB recommends the following to address being ‘brushed:’
Contact the retailer. Report the incident, request a return and refund. Report it to BBB.org/scamtracker as well.
Change account usernames and passwords. Take all precautions just in case the account was compromised and keep a close eye on any financial accounts that are tied to the account.
Keep the merchandise, if you want. According to the FTC, there is a legal right to retain the misdirected merchandise but you don’t have to post a review.
BBB of Cincinnati
