Unsolicited Amazon boxes now showing up at homes in the same way packages of seeds, possibly from China, have been. Yes; the Federal Trade Commission says you have "a legal right to keep it as a free gift. E-retailer Amazon has announced that it is banning the sale of foreign seeds in the United States after thousands of residents from across the country complained that they had received mysterious packages containing unidentified seeds from China. If there is a bio security issue DEFRA should act. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. The packages appear to be coming from China, according to the USDA. Mr. Crenshaw said he had ordered blue zinnia seeds from Amazon, but when he got the package about two months ago, it contained the blue zinnia seeds as well as seed … By Peter Sblendorio. A fake consumer profile will then be created under the receiver’s name, after which whomever the sender is, will write a false positive review on the product. Amazon has banned foreign sales of seeds in the U.S. after Americans across the country received suspicious packages of seeds, many originating in China, earlier this summer. Amazon is banning sales of plants and seeds imported from outside the U.S. after people received mysterious packages of seeds from China. RELATED: Officials in Florida, other states warn about mysterious seed shipments from China. "Free" Amazon deliveries are arriving addressed to residents who didn't order them – all part of an ongoing scam. Dear Katie, My son recently ordered some bulbs and seeds for my birthday from Amazon.co.uk. Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/08/04/free-amazon-orders-scam-mysterious-seeds-packages-brushing/5580858002/, Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Officials at the Department of Agriculture identified several of the seeds that were mailed to citizens from China. The seeds are believed to be part of a global "brushing" scam, according to the Better Business Bureau. Postal Inspector, or the Better Business Bureau in your area for help," the FTC said. “Scammers mail lightweight (inexpensive to ship) packages, such as ping pong balls and seeds, to people who did not order the merchandise. Horticulturalists have issued a warning after 'hundreds' of British gardeners received unsolicited deliveries of seeds thought to have been sent all the way from China. “What comes up I have no idea but I’m sure they're not going to be what I ordered,” said Trinity’s Katherine Heintz, who planted the strange seeds. USA TODAY. How many Chinese Sellers are there in 2020 and what tactics are they using to get ahead? All A “brushing” scam is when boxes of unordered packages arrive with a Chinese return address, or sometimes the packages appear to come from Amazon or another retailer, according to the BBB. Selling on Amazon is HUGE in China. According to Amazon's policy web page, the ban extends to plants and plant products. Often, the items received are lightweight and inexpensive to ship, such as ping pong balls, or more recently, face masks or seeds from China,” according a BBB news release. The U.S. is a seed exporter to Asia but not a seed importer. Osama El-Lissy, with the Plant Protection Program of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said in a July 29 statement that 14 different species of the seeds were identified from the “brushing” scams. The deliveries, which are not gifts, are what authorities call a "brushing scam," in which people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. Whitmer finally answers whether she would have accepted a Biden VP offer. Amazon bans foreign plant sales following delivery of mystery seed packages. FILE - Mysterious seeds sent to Washington residents in the mail from China that they did not order on July 24, 2020. Amazon banning sale of foreign seeds after thousands of consumers received unsolicited packets in mailboxes postmarked from China. "If this doesn’t work, contact your state or local consumer protection office, local U.S. RELATED: Mysterious seeds being mailed to Virginia residents could be from China. "Once the information is out there on the internet, it could be used for numerous crooked enterprises. Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about. I will not be planting them. Sign up here. ", Your next Amazon box might look a little different. If you've received unordered packages from Amazon or other retailers, it could be part of a brushing scam. In an Amazon seller forum in June, there was a brief discussion of some receiving unordered packages. "You are not the one who hit the jackpot. “Plants, plant products, and seeds may not be imported from outside of the United States,” the policy reads. AMAZON shoppers are being warned that items turning up on doorsteps that have not been ordered could be part of a scam to generate fake reviews. When the parcel arrived I didn’t know what it contained, but I noticed it had been sent from China. The company’s decision comes after thousands of U.S. residents reported receiving unsolicited packets of seed from China, prompting all 50 states to issue safety warnings. Amazon recently updated its policy, only allowing seeds to be sold by U.S. sellers after unsolicited packages containing random seeds were sent to United States residents, according to the USDA. ... (APHIS), said the experts analyzing some of the seeds from China found very few problems. But can you keep the freebie? It's not exactly clear who is behind the packages or what their intent is, but officials suspect they are part of … A "brushing scam" could be putting your personal info at risk. An Arkansas man who received one of the mysterious seed packages sent to thousands of US residents from China planted them on his property — and said the results are wild. “For example, in one case a humidifier, a hand warmer, a flashlight, a Bluetooth speaker and a computer vacuum cleaner arrived unordered. Amazon, for its part, specifies that the seller is responsible for ensuring seed shipments are compliant with USDA regulations. "Brushing and fake reviews are against Amazon’s policies, so contact Amazon Customer Service if this happens to you and the product appears to come from Amazon. Heirloom Futures Seed Pack with 55 Varieties of Vegetable Seeds. Sign up here, Disinfecting wipes shortage could last into 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic, FDA list of hand sanitizers to avoid increases with more identified for methanol risk, Amazon introduces boxes that can be recycled into cat condos, forts and other creations, USDA identifies some of the mysterious, unsolicited seeds after all 50 states issue warnings, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Some people are apparently using Amazon to send thousands of seeds to recipients that didn’t order them in the U.S. So far, the USDA said some of the packages contain vegetables like cabbage and herbs like mint, sage, rosemary, and lavender. Over the past week, USA TODAY Consumer Editor Michelle Maltais received three unordered Amazon packages: a bug zapper, an iPhone repair kit and an empty velvet jewelry pouch. Amazon.com: china seeds. FILE - Mysterious seeds sent to Washington residents in the mail from China that they did not order on July 24, 2020. The FTC also advises consumers to contact retailers for help dealing with unordered merchandise. Wochit. ©2020 FOX Television Stations. "Free" Amazon deliveries are arriving addressed to residents who didn't order them – … Skip to main content. Try Prime EN Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart. Did you get mysterious seeds from China or Amazon packages you didn't order? While this isn't a new scam, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers "of a scary downside" of getting free boxloads of merchandise from Amazon or other companies. ", New Amazon boxes: Amazon introduces boxes that can be recycled into cat condos, forts and other creations, Free seeds from China: USDA identifies some of the mysterious, unsolicited seeds after all 50 states issue warnings, Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko. : Disinfecting wipes shortage could last into 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic, Hand sanitizer recalls: FDA list of hand sanitizers to avoid increases with more identified for methanol risk. Officials in at least 15 states across the country have warned residents not to plant unsolicited packages of seeds delivered through the mail from China. People in several states have reported finding packages in their mail from China that appear to contain things like jewelry but in fact contain packets of mysterious seeds. The seeds, which have no label and are wrapped in plastic, are raising concern by officials that they could be invasive species of plants that are harmful to native plants and animals. "The company also takes security seriously and encourages customers to report fraudulent purchases or other security issues.". This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In fact, it is estimated that there are over 200,000 Chinese businesses currently selling on Amazon and this number is only expected to rise.. The USDA confirmed in an Aug. 12 update that it and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, in conjunction with state departments of agriculture, are continuing to investigate why the seeds were sent. A scam company is the real winner," the BBB said in its news release Monday. Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. Amazon could not immediately be reached for comment. The BBB also suggests changing passwords and keeping an eye on credit reports and credit card statements. It's not just seeds—Americans are receiving all kinds of unsolicited packages from China, containing items ranging from fake Ray-Ban sunglasses to a pair of used socks. Officials in Florida, other states warn about mysterious seed shipments from China, Mysterious seeds being mailed to Virginia residents could be from China, Nashville officers heard audio warning from RV before it exploded, 2 children die in Christmas morning fire on Detroit's east side, Adorable girl gifts everyone a 'box of peace' this Christmas, Wayne County Board of Canvasser Chairwoman, Monica Palmer, speaks out after receiving threats, Michigan AG, Dana Nessel, warns parents to be on ‘high alert’ for sextortion, 18-year-old wanted for killing two sisters near former State Fairgrounds turns self in, Police say 2nd person found dead in home where elderly woman was killed, husband injured, New rule could require servers to share their tips with co-workers, US Department of Labor says, Threats made by a Pres. ", Need Clorox wipes? I have received seeds arrived from China marked as earring studs. … They do this in order to create fake customer profiles with real names on e-commerce sites, and then create false positive reviews for their products and/or company,” a BBB news release stated. ", To protect yourself from more unordered merchandise, the FTC says be cautious when participating in sweepstakes or order goods advertised as "free," "trial," or "unusually low-priced. After mysterious seeds were sent to thousands of people, some unsolicited, in the United States from China, Amazon has announced changes to only allow seeds to be sold by sellers in the U.S., according to Amazon’s updated policy. Citizens across the United States have reported receiving random unsolicited seed shipments from China. (Washington State Department of Agriculture Facebook). There was no indication of the seeds were from China on Amazon. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Those mysterious seeds sent from China and Kyrgyzstan that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture warned about this week could be the product of an ... is a way to boost business ratings on Amazon. The BBB gave a few examples of what some people have found in the usually lightweight packages: flashlights, Bluetooth speakers and computer vacuum cleaners. After mysterious seeds were sent to thousands of people, some unsolicited, in the United States from China, Amazon has announced changes to only allow seeds to … She recently ordered some tulips bulbs from Amazon back in late April. Records on the packages appear to have been falsified, according to checks by China’s postal service, Wenbin said at a … To report unsolicited seeds, individuals can fill out the form provided by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, here. "The Direct Marketing Association also may be able to help you. 100% Non GMO Open Pollinated Non-Hybrid Naturally Grown Premium USA Seed Stock for … All summer, people have been receiving unsolicited packages of seeds, mostly from China. Amazon.co.uk Today's Deals Warehouse Deals Outlet Subscribe & Save Vouchers Amazon Family Amazon Prime Prime Video Prime Student Mobile Apps Amazon Pickup Locations Amazon Assistant 1-16 of over 3,000 results for "vegetable seeds" Save better, spend better: Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. They will investigate and take action on the bad actor," the BBB said. In this article, we’ll look at the tactics being used by Chinese Amazon sellers in 2019 to manipulate the platform. I have contacted the supplier asking what they are playing at, and informed Amazon that they may be breaking the bio security rules. Consumers in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the EU have all received the unsolicited packages, prompting agriculture departments in several states to issue warnings against planting them. According to the BBB, the best course of action if you receive a mystery package is to notify the retailer. Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. The seed types included flowering plants, herbs and vegetables. But selling seeds online is also an attractive legitimate business for merchants in Asia who can sell a $1.50 packet of seeds from China for roughly $10 on Amazon, according to the Journal. (Photo: Michelle Maltais, USA TODAY), "The fact that someone was able to have the items sent to you as if you purchased them indicates that they probably have some of your personal information such as your name, address, and possibly, your phone number," the BBB said. 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