I received a parcel I never ordered — is it a scam?
It may be brushing fraud, where sellers send cheap items to real addresses to post fake reviews, or a preparatory step in a package redirection scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Receiving unsolicited packages is typically a sign of brushing fraud, where third-party marketplace sellers ship low-value items to real addresses so they can write verified purchase reviews under that address's account. The goods are yours to keep, but it indicates your name and address have been obtained from some source — possibly a data breach. In some cases, unsolicited packages are part of a more sophisticated scam where the recipient is later contacted and told a valuable item was sent by mistake and they should return or redirect it — this leads to money loss through a staged recovery. If you receive something you did not order, report it to the marketplace under whose name it arrived and monitor your account for unauthorised activity.
Common red flags
- Package arrived with your address but a name you don't recognise
- Low-value, lightweight item such as seeds, jewellery, or small toys
- Someone contacts you afterwards claiming the item was sent by mistake
- Notification that you left a review for a product you never purchased
What to do now
- Keep the item — you are under no legal obligation to return unsolicited goods in most countries
- Report the unsolicited shipment to the marketplace (Amazon, eBay, etc.) using their brushing report form
- Change your marketplace account password and enable two-factor authentication
- Do not send any money or redirect any packages based on contact from a stranger
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay for a parcel that arrived that I didn't order?
No. In most countries you are not required to pay for or return unsolicited goods. You may keep them as an unconditional gift. Never pay a sender who contacts you after an unsolicited delivery.