Category Archives: gifts

Amazon Warns Receiving This Type Of Parcel Can Be A Scam

Posted on by
Reply

I was scrolling through Reddit last night when I noticed an odd-looking picture shared to r/Scams.

Site user u/Various_Ad9010 asked whether the sudden deluge of packages on their doorstep (which they hadn’t ordered) was some type of scam, and wanted to know what to do next.

Some site users suggested this was indeed a scam called “brushing.”

So, I thought I’d check whether or not this was a real thing ― and as it happens, Amazon have a whole page dedicated to the deceit.

What is “brushing”?

Amazon’s site explains that “When a customer receives a package they didn’t order, it may be a scam called ‘brushing.’”

It happens when scammers send parcels to addresses that didn’t order them. They can pick an address from pretty much anywhere.

Staffordshire police write that after a fraudster has gotten a person’s name and address, they create a fake Amazon account to which they then sell their own products.

They pay for the products, sometimes using stolen cards, the police add.

To make the scam look legit, the goods are really shipped to the unsuspecting person’s home.

“After the packages have been delivered, the scammer then writes positive reviews on their own seller accounts, using the recipient’s name,” the Staffordshire police add.

“This helps to boost their ratings and increase their visibility on the platform, in the hope of bringing about genuine sales.”

This is against company policy, as Amazon prohibits third parties from sending unsolicited packages to peoples’ homes.

What should I do if I suspect brushing?

Both the Staffordshire police and Amazon say you should report brushing scams immediately.

If you’ve asked friends and family whether they’ve sent you a gift and you’re sure nobody sent you anything unexpectedly, there are steps you can take on-site and with the UK legal system.

Amazon has a Report Unwanted Package form that you can fill in if you suspect brushing. You can also call customer service ― don’t try to return the packages.

They add investigators will need the following information:

  • Number of unwanted packages received.
  • A tracking number from at least one of the packages (found on the shipping label)
  • Photo of at least one shipping label (optional)
  • Any additional information to assist the investigation.

Meanwhile, Staffordshire police says that on top of reporting it to the e-commerce site, you can also reach out to your local police station or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Share Button

Hoard Gu Pots? Oh, Do We Have Excellent News For You

Posted on by
Reply

I didn’t realise until I moved to the UK that the glass ramekins used to hold Gu desserts are basically a second currency here.

People hoard them like dragons with gold coins, stacking them high in the cupboards under their sinks; and just as a giant winged reptile can’t actually spend any of the treasures it guards, I’ve never seen a glass-gathering Brit use one of their coveted cocottes.

Well, no more. Recently, I discovered something that’ll finally render your ramekin collection useable; it turns out that Pringles lids fit perfectly onto the containers, turning them into endlessly useful little storage pots.

That’s pretty handy, actually

Yep! One user commenting on Gardener’s World says that they make a “sterilisable, re-usable, airtight seed soaking/stratifying jar” that “stands up to boiling water well, does fine in the fridge and microwave too.“

You can write whatever you like on the lid with a marker before wiping it off when you want to reuse it, they add. The commenter had created holes in the lid of her food package waste hybrid container and used it for seeds.

You can see how perfect the combo is on this Reddit post, which led some commenters to say “Came downstairs to discover this in the kitchen holding cloves of garlic. Mum’s the real snackrchtiect [snack architect].”

I’ve just used to hack to store some leftover garlic mayo from my takeaway pizza ― you could also use it for bacon grease, or even spilled spices.

There’s more!

Looking for a sustainable (read: cheap) DIY Christmas pressie? You could fill the pots with your DIY spice mixes or tiny microwave mug brownie ingredients (bar the wet ingredients, of course).

I’m also obsessed with these easy Gu pot candles (though they don’t require a lid, necessarily).

Perhaps you could share a giant tin of loose-leaf tea with friends in their own individual lidded Gu pots ― and hey, who am I to stop you from wrapping some twine around the neck of the pot and creating a little herbal tea-style label with their name on it to add to the end of the string?

Or, you could simply stuff them with snacks like pretzels and send ’em on their merry way. One thing’s for sure, though ― ’tis the season to clear the Gu pot graveyard in your cupboard.

Share Button