An empty package I received • Report Issues. Protect your community. • Safely HQ (2024)

FAQs

Why did I receive an empty USPS package? ›

Perhaps you received a bracelet, sun glasses, or maybe empty packages arrive at your home every few days. These deliveries are likely part of a “brushing” scam. There are steps you can take to protect yourself if you receive unordered packages as part of a brushing scam.

Standard attributes of fake shipping companies include: Phony Websites and Social Media Profiles: Scammers often create fake websites and social media profiles that imitate trustworthy shipping companies. They use deceptive tactics such as logo imitation, industry jargon, and fake testimonials.

Some news outlets are reporting an “empty box” scam in which a third-party seller accepts payment for your order and ships you an empty box. Under Amazon's terms of use, if you accept the package then the seller may or may not be held accountable for the missing items.

What You Can Do: If you still can't find your package and it has been over 24 hours since the 'delivered' status, use your tracking number and submit a service request to your local Post Office™.

Generally, refunds for undeliverable shipments for items sold and fulfilled by Amazon, are issued within 5 business days. If you have not received your refund after this time, please contact us. We can't re-send orders that carriers return to us as undeliverable.

If you paid by card or PayPal

If you've paid for something you haven't received, you might be able to get your money back. Your card provider can ask the seller's bank to refund the money. This is known as the 'chargeback scheme'. If you paid by debit card, you can use chargeback however much you paid.

Check for Spelling and Grammar Accuracy

Fake websites often exhibit errors in spelling and grammar throughout their pages, indicating potential illegitimacy. Scrutinise the website's content, product descriptions, and reviews for any such errors.

So which company treats your packages with the most tender loving care? After crunching the data and averaging the number of spikes recorded by each carrier on each trip, we found that the USPS has the gentlest touch, with a per-trip average of 0.5 acceleration spikes over 6 g's.

If a tracking number is provided, visit the official website (e.g. DHL, FedEx, UPS, USPS) and search for it on the company's website to check its legitimacy. If you receive a “missed delivery” tag on your door, contact the actual company using their official number. Don't call the number on the door tag.

Oftentimes, this kind of unsolicited merchandise is part of a larger brushing scam, which is illegal in the U.S. and many other countries. This is how it works. A person receives packages or parcels containing various sorts of items which were not ordered or requested by the recipient.

Why did I receive a package I didn't order? ›

When you receive a package that you didn't order, it may be a scam called "brushing". "Brushing" scams occur when bad actors send packages to publicly available names and addresses. If you receive a package or item that you didn't order, first confirm that it was not a gift that was sent to you.

A brushing scheme, also known as a brushing scam, is a fraudulent e-commerce tactic where sellers send unsolicited packages to people to artificially boost sales and post fake reviews. The recipients of the products have not ordered them or paid for them.

Rural addresses are considered 'vacant' after 90 days have passed. City addresses are considered 'vacant' at the carrier's discretion.