# A brush with online fraud: What are brushing scams and how do I stay safe?

DevFeed: [A brush with online fraud: What are brushing scams and how do I stay safe?](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/a-brush-with-online-fraud-what-are-brushing-scams-and-how-do-i-stay-safe-8400.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/scams/brush-online-fraud-what-are-brushing-scams-how-do-i-stay-safe/>)

Author: Phil Muncaster

Published: 2025-12-23T10:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [WeLiveSecurity](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/welivesecurity.md>)

Topics: [Cybercrime](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cybercrime.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data.md>), [QR Code](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/qrcode.md>), [Malware](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/malware.md>), [online privacy](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/online-privacy.md>)

Tags: [cybercrime](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/cybercrime.md>), [data-breaches](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data-breaches.md>), [fraud](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/fraud.md>), [identity](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/identity.md>), [malware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/malware.md>), [phishing](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/phishing.md>), [qr-code](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/qr-code.md>), [scams](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/scams.md>)

## AI overview

The article explains brushing scams, in which fraudsters send unsolicited low-value packages to manipulate marketplace ratings and reviews. It warns that such activity may indicate exposed personal data, identity-fraud risk, or phishing and malware threats delivered through QR codes.

## Source excerpt

Have you ever received a package you never ordered? It could be a warning sign that your data has been compromised, with more fraud to follow.