Item Returns that are not mine...

[broto_64]

The second one this month, I have received two separate "returns" (as per the usps label) of items that I did not sell. In fact I do not carry these items, the sender address/name is NOT in my purchased / shipped list, I have absolutely NO record of these sales (and I don't have any open OR closed returns to match either).

Edit: The address on the return label is my own. It addresses to my name, and my address.
It is therefore legal for me to keep the items.

I know years ago I read about some scam that involved returning items to an unsuspecting party but for the life of me I can't find that read (google isn't much help either, of course I probably don't really know what to search for exact) and am just wondering what could be the angle here.

Edit: Brushing scam?

I mean maybe it's just an accident, but the second one already, I'm kind of awaiting the third one now. Obviously I want to put an end to this, even if it's free merchandise, it doesn't belong to me and I don't want it and no I'm not just throwing it away without knowing what is going down first.

Edit: Got the third return today!

Not sure if my being a seller here has anything to do with it, or if that's just coincidence and the returns could be going to just about anyone... They were both ebay returns thou.

Only other possibility is a scam gone wrong, but I have a feeling something much darker is afoot and am curious if the more experienced members might know a thing about this.

Thanks

[mam98031]

---

@broto_64 wrote:

---

@mam98031 wrote:

---

@dhbookds wrote:

What kind of stuff are you getting?  

---

Hopefully they didn't open the packages unless they were actually addressed to them.

---

Well, it takes less time to open the package than it does to deal with a tracking number.

The first item was an OBD2 HUD
The second was 5 of some kind of something trinket, looks like some sort of part, something goes through it, most likely liquid.

---

Maybe.  It is also illegal.  If it arrived at my house, I would give it back to the carrier to return to sender.

[roccotacodad54]

   It's not illegal to open a package delivered to you. With your name or not.

[bennotbill]

This has been going on a long time. I can remember posts on the UK forum from years ago.

Many jokey complaints why aren’t I getting any freebies, but a few were saying what am I supposed to do with the growing mountain of parcels in the corner of my room.

[bashort]

It could be these items were "bought" by a  seller or someone working with a seller and then some random item is shipped to a random address to create a "verified sale" and then they leave a positive review.  Do this a few hundred times and you now have a item with hundreds of positive reviews.

[mantle1951]

Wow didn't know Perry Mason was still around.

[broto_64]

No, I am sorry but keeping items that arrive at my house with my name and address on the parcel is not illegal.
In fact I just looked it up that way and came up with: 

So most likely it's this brushing scam and I will be reporting it as suggested.

[broto_64]

---

@pickapaper wrote:

@kensgiftshop 

Why would they do that?  Why not just issue a refund without a return?

---

Maybe it's a seller who feels it's cheaper to pay for that extra shipping leg vs starting a free item train:
Order something, open a return, get a refund, keep the item(s).
And before long everyone else joins in on the party.
So the seller forces the buyer to return the item, even if it costs more that way.

[broto_64]

---

@bashort wrote:

It could be these items were "bought" by a  seller or someone working with a seller and then some random item is shipped to a random address to create a "verified sale" and then they leave a positive review.  Do this a few hundred times and you now have a item with hundreds of positive reviews.

---

Yeah, that's the brushing scam...
So today's return I was able to look it up and it's a parking assist sensor.
Four of them, they're about $7 each.
The other day the OBD2 HUD those run between $20 and $40.
The second return I just looked it up and it's (four) fuel injectors, they're about $16 each.

So they are all auto parts, that likely leads to one seller then...

Granted they're not high dollar but these are also not cheap dollar trinkets such as what might be used in a brushing scam... So now I'm wondering, like I said I recall reading a thread just like this one years and years ago, it's like I'm literally creating that thread again (except I wasn't the author of that last one).

So strange.


EDIT: Hahaha @ bennotbill "why aren't I getting free items?"
Life's not fair 😂 but believe me it feels kinda creepy too and so I'm concerned.

[dy60609]

perhaps, perhaps not

The handling of mail in the United States falls under federal law, specifically under the jurisdiction of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The primary statute addressing unauthorized mail opening is 18 U.S.C. 1702, which makes it illegal to open, destroy, or delay mail not addressed to you. This law protects the privacy and security of mail, ensuring only the intended recipient has access to its contents. Violating this statute can lead to serious legal consequences, as it is a federal offense.

ETA  from USPS dot com

• If the mailpiece is delivered to the correct location but the recipient on the mailpiece does not reside at the address:
  • Write "Not at this address" on mailpiece.
  • Don't erase or mark over the address.
  • Provide the mailpiece to your mailperson or drop into a Collection Box receptacle. 

[penguins_dont_fly]

I'm just spitballing here ... I think it might be related to Item Location policies.

If an item ships from a US address (or purports to ship from a US address on the listing), sellers must have a US address to take returns.

So, if an overseas seller does not actually have a US address that can take returns, they just pick an address from one of their previous US customers to use for returns.

And, just maybe, this allows them to offer "Free Returns" to help their search placement without having to deal with the actual returns.

[itsjustasprain]

---

@mam98031 wrote:

---

@broto_64 wrote:

---

@mam98031 wrote:

---

@dhbookds wrote:

What kind of stuff are you getting?  

---

Hopefully they didn't open the packages unless they were actually addressed to them.

---

Well, it takes less time to open the package than it does to deal with a tracking number.

The first item was an OBD2 HUD
The second was 5 of some kind of something trinket, looks like some sort of part, something goes through it, most likely liquid.

---

Maybe.  It is also illegal.  If it arrived at my house, I would give it back to the carrier to return to sender.

---

In what way is it illegal?

[mam98031]

Thank you for the information.  That is helpful.  I appreciate it.

[mam98031]

I think most are assuming that the packages are from sellers that are trying to scam the system.  There is no evidence of that in which the OP has supplied.  They actually could be packages that legitimately were sent with no ill intent involved.  

Speaking for myself only.  Whatever is in that package does not belong to me, so I would give it back to the carrier with a note to return to sender.

If the sender is trying to scam someone in some way, I don't need or desire to play any part in that process.  If it did accidentally get shipped to me, then the shipper will get it back and able to try to make it up to their buyer.

[dirk12955]

The OP is receiving RETURNS
   that were sold originally by some unknown entity.

Assuming that they were originally sold on ebay.

My first thought reading this when first posted?    That somebody

is selling using the OP's  name and address as their registration info with eBay.

[broto_64]

---

@dirk12955 wrote:

The OP is receiving RETURNS
   that were sold originally by some unknown entity.

Assuming that they were originally sold on ebay.

My first thought reading this when first posted?    That somebody

is selling using the OP's  name and address as their registration info with eBay.

---

That is definitely interesting, however I do believe it is possible to have my name and address for returns only. And the way I know about that is because I moved in the past and had a heck of a time with my returns going to the previous address.
I may contact Ebay on Facebook to be sure thou.