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haele

(12,650 posts)
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 01:27 AM Dec 2021

Oddest thing just came from Amazon...

We just received two huge boxes from the Amazon fulfillment center addressed to our granddaughters who live with us.
Inside each box were two identical Baby Yodas. No paperwork, no receipt, no return info, no idea who sent it.

So we have four large identical toys that probably cost around $40/$50, we don't know who sent to our two grandkids, and they don't watch Star Wars, so it's not a family member - we think.

Could this be related to yesterday's AWS breakdown? These would have been ordered Monday at the latest.
Ah well, once we find out who sent these, Toys for Tots is going to get three Baby Yodas.

Or it could be a Chinese plot. Who knows?

Haele

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Cracklin Charlie

(12,904 posts)
2. I received a Barbie yesterday.
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 01:49 AM
Dec 2021

It was in an Amazon box that was so big, you could have put 50 barbies in it.

I now have a huge wad of air filled bubble packing material, though.

usonian

(9,787 posts)
3. Beware of scam. Hopefully, your account is not compromised
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 01:54 AM
Dec 2021
https://clark.com/shopping-retail/amazon-scam-brushing-warning-deliveries-you-didnt-order/

Clark.com says this:
Have you recently received an Amazon package that you didn’t order? It may be part of a scam called “brushing.”
This scheme involves an unordered package from Amazon showing up at your doorstep with your name on it.
Legally, you get to keep any package that’s addressed to you, but this scam isn’t entirely a victimless crime.

Third-party online sellers engage in “brushing” scams in an attempt to raise product ratings on websites such as Amazon. The seller pays a third party to purchase their products through fake buyer accounts they’ve created.
After the purchase, the item gets delivered to a real address. Then the seller can write a positive review of their own product from the fake Amazon buyer account.

Receiving unordered packages from Amazon means your information has been compromised. A third-party seller somehow acquired your name, shipping address and possibly your Amazon account information. (HOPEFULLY NOT)

Amazon provides a help page for victims of brushing scams.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G33XVXQPUV79Z2ZC

What To Do if You Get Something From Amazon You Didn’t Order
If you have received an unsolicited Amazon package and have confirmed no one you know sent you a gift, here’s what you can do to protect yourself and future potential victims:

Report the unordered package to Amazon customer service at (888) 280-4331.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission online or by phone at (877) 382-4357.
Change the password on your Amazon account and any other accounts that have the same password.
Keep a close eye on your credit card statements to spot suspicious activity.

Silent3

(15,210 posts)
7. There's a type of scam, not against the recipient, where people receive random cheap items
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 04:14 AM
Dec 2021
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/business/package-didnt-order-brushing/index.html

Those baby Yodas might be more expensive, however, that what makes sense for a "brushing" scam. About a year ago I was getting weird random items for a while too, never charged for any of them, and only recently learned about this scam, which might have been what that was all about for me.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,853 posts)
8. How bizarre.
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 04:36 AM
Dec 2021

I have not received anything like that, but I also don't have grandchildren so I'm not likely to be a target of that scam. If I were to answer the phone and someone to address me as "Grandma", I'd just laugh. Yes, I'm more than old enough to be a grandmother, but I don't have and will probably never have grandchildren. Oh, and that scam is a very good reason those of you with grandchildren (lucky you!) should be addressed by something other than "Grandma" or "Grandpa". My sister, who has several grandchildren, is addressed by them with a nickname of her given name. Nice. It means she'd never fall for the phone call asking Grandma for money.

I like to think I'm savvy enough to avoid any and all on-line scams, but who knows? Maybe I have a vulnerability I don't recognize.

Maraya1969

(22,479 posts)
9. I received baby spoons and some book that, when I look it up was really expensive
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 04:41 AM
Dec 2021

but it was a little paperback that had no sales.

It is a scam and they tried to take money out of my Amazon credit card or buy things for themselves. I'm sorry I can't remember exactly. I would contact whoever it your credit card for Amazon and tell them what happened.

lindysalsagal

(20,679 posts)
10. Someone ordered $140 worth of tools through my amazon but sent them elsewhere
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 06:38 AM
Dec 2021

It took months of arguing with amazon and the credit card company. Ultimately, they admitted it never went to me or showed up in my orders, so, they had to refund. But it took months.I sent screen shots of my orders to the credit card company. That's why it does pay to use amazon: Their online orders page proves what you have, and have not, bought.

haele

(12,650 posts)
13. Update - one of Laz's relatives did order two on Monday, just before AWS went down.
Thu Dec 9, 2021, 01:12 PM
Dec 2021

She was only billed for two. Amazon fulfillment sent us four with no paperwork. Glitch on Amazon's part. He joked that she broke Amazon.
Toys for Tots get two baby Yodas this weekend.

Haele

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