Throughout lockdown, many of us have opted for internet shopping to get things delivered to us - and understandably so.
But as a result, people have been forgetting what they've ordered, and unfortunately, scammers have been taking full advantage of this.
Surrey Police has now issued a warning to people over 'suspicious' Amazon parcels being sent out to people who haven't ordered them.
A post on the force's Facebook read: "Have you recently received a package you didn’t ask for from Amazon? There have been several recent reports in the UK of a ‘brushing scam’, involving Amazon sellers setting up accounts in a stranger's name and sending products to them that they did not order.
"These accounts are then used to write fake verified reviews to try and improve the seller’s ratings. Some of these packages are sent from China, with the contents often listed as jewellery.
"When opened, they are instead found to contain seeds. If you receive a package containing seeds that you did not order, please do not plant them.
"The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) advise that, if the seeds have been planted, to dispose of the plants in a safe manner by Placing in a double lined bag. Seal securely. Dispose of in your ordinary household waste (not garden waste) to ensure this reaches a registered landfill site.
"If you have any unplanted seeds left, please send them in their original envelope and or packaging to: Paul Bratby, APHA-PHSI, 2nd Floor Apex Court, City Link, Nottingham, NG2 4LA
"The seeds will be destroyed by APHA on your behalf. You can also email PlantHealth.Info@apha.gov.uk for advice.
"If you have received any parcel deliveries from Amazon that you didn’t order or pay for, we would also recommend that you change your account password, cancel the card linked to the account, and report these parcels to Amazon so that they can investigate."
According to the Mirror, free packages are being sent to people in exchange for fake reviews.
Because there's no trace of the item being ordered they're considered 'free', but sellers have been contacting recipients and asking them for fake reviews in return.
Surrey Police has warned that this could be part of a 'brushing scam' - where bogus reviews are posted to improve a seller's rating.
Adam French, senior consumer rights editor at Which? told The Sun: "If you receive anything you didn't order out of the blue don’t open it.
"Contact the retailer and say you didn't order it and say you want to return it."
