Editor's note: A version of this article was originally published on February 12, 2020 and updated on March 16, 2020 with new research. Postal Inspector, or the Better Business Bureau in your area for help," the FTC said. ? Now you can add one more concern to that list: receiving Amazon packages you didn’t order. Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. Then it happened again the following day, and again, and again, and again without end until the small, unsolicited parcels began piling up in McGeehan’s home. I am receiving unordered packages from amazon prime. First seeds, now people are receiving unordered masks in the mail More unsolicited items received from China By Lydia Nusbaum | August 6, 2020 at 10:41 PM CDT - … Even with the amount of uncertainty related to 2019-nCoV, Adalja asserted that there is no reason to hold off on shopping, even if you think you're just being extra cautious. It’s just to himamaex 8TTITEY, with his address then upon opening the package, there’s a gift slip that says it’s from himamaex 8TTITEY. Do you know how to do this or have you found anywhere that actually explains how to do this? Terry Buckman received a package at his door that had been shipped from Korea by a company based in China. A scam company is the real winner," the BBB said in its news release Monday. Here are some questions and answers about dealing with unordered merchandise. Some are wondering if it's a good idea to shop or receive packages during the coronavirus outbreak. "If this doesn’t work, contact your state or local consumer protection office, local U.S. "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. Mysterious packages: It’s not just seeds that people in Western Pa. are receiving in the mail from China Western Pa. residents receiving other packages they didn’t order from China… Your package could get lost or stolen, or arrive far later than you anticipated. With a label on them from a company I've never heard of (Upon researching they've only been around for a month or so. Die Shots of Apple's A14 Bionic & M1 SoCs Compared: Same Architecture, Different Goals, Pimoroni Flat HAT Hacker Review: Add HATs to Raspberry Pi 400, Pepper Jobs XtendTouch Pro Review: Pretty, Portable OLED, Best Holiday Tech and PC Hardware Deals 2020: CPUs, SSDs and More. The researchers, Vincent Munster and a team at the National Institutes of Health virology laboratory in Hamilton, Montana, sprayed the virus on common materials to see how long the surface remained contaminated. The Better Business Bureau is warning Americans about a “brushing scam” that involves unknown senders shipping boxes of unordered merchandise to a … ", 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. But can you keep the freebie? Then the following day it happened again: another unordered package from China arrived containing the same item. Shipping from China can take another 2 or so weeks. McGeehan reports that she is still receiving unordered packages from China, only now whoever is sending them has moved on from hair ties to random keychain charms. Then it happened again the following day, and again, and again, and again without end until the small, unsolicited parcels began piling up in McGeehan’s home. Now, people are reporting similar packages containing a face mask that they did not order or want. We know a lot about coronaviruses in general and can extrapolate this knowledge to the novel coronavirus,” he said. Take the fact that most items are manufactured in China for cheap anyway, and you have just signed away a lot of domestic business opportunities. There’s also been a recent wave of emails from retailers detailing precautions they’re taking regarding coronavirus, while encouraging people to shop while stuck at home. Suspicious packages from China delivered to American homes. After the customer receives the wrong product, they delay accepting a return or giving a refund. No. Suspicious packages from China delivered to American homes. Am I obligated to return or pay for merchandise I never ordered? Sign up here. Americans Are Receiving Unordered Parcels From Chinese E-Criminals -- And Can't Do Anything To Stop Them ... Then the following day it happened again: another unordered package from China … There isn't even an invoice. This scheme involves receiving random packages from Amazon you didn’t order that just show up on your doorstep. The package is from Amazon and doesn’t have a specific sender nor for who the package is for. Which is, that China is literally sending things for rates cheaper than Amazon which is estimated to pay USPS $2 per package[5]. “There is much damage being done by overreaction to this outbreak. The Department says if you receive a seed package in the mail, contact them directly so they may investigate. © What if you receive unordered merchandise in the mail? In an Amazon seller forum in June, there was a brief discussion of some receiving unordered packages. People all over the United States are still receiving unordered packages from Asia and there seems to be no way that the U.S. I still order from China. Items I order from China take 1-2 months to arrive so 0 risk there. They remove “ships from China” so customers don’t see it coming. “I receive at least one a day, sometimes multiple,” she explained. First came reports of unwanted seeds arriving in the mail from China. We’ve seen Reddit users question if shipments from China could pack more than shoppers asked for, and even companies themselves are trying to address this. Whether you’re shopping for PC upgrades or the latest tech deals, working from home or are just avoiding the outside, chances are you’ll have to check your mail. Q. Please refresh the page and try again. It's not exactly clear who is behind the packages or what their intent is, … "The Direct Marketing Association also may be able to help you. It’s called a “brushing” scam. Here are some questions and answers about dealing with unordered merchandise. The package is from Amazon and doesn’t have a specific sender nor for who the package is for. A strange package has been sent to people in multiple states: random, unidentified seeds from China. ", Need Clorox wipes? This message is echoed by the CDC, which is using the behaviors of SARS and MERA, two other types of coronavirus, as guidance for 2019-nCoV. Mystery seeds apparently from China and labeled as jewelry are being mailed to consumers who didn’t order them, prompting the state Agriculture Department to issue a warning. For the past several days now people all across the country have been receiving mysterious, and unsolicited packages of seeds from China. But is this really a good idea? Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. Visit our corporate site. Thank you for signing up to Tom's Hardware. The packages appear to be coming from China, according to the USDA. Three Countries have done testing, France was the latest. Tom's Hardware is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Recent research reported on by MIT Technology Review found that 2019-nCov can live on a cardboard box for at least 24 hours. Receiving a surprise package in the mail can feel akin to getting a birthday present. Perhaps the seed scammers branched out. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Chinese sellers get your name and address (sometimes from another, legitimate seller you … One Endicott resident, Dawn Proctor, told the … Why You're Receiving UnsolicitedMail From China. They mark their orders as shipped, but hold on to the packages for 2 to 3 weeks to delay shipping. It came from: The small package says that it contains a phone case but it actually contains what looks like the top crystal of a watch plus some screws. "I noticed this odd package with what appeared to be Chinese writing," she said, "and noticed the sender, and said, 'I didn't order anything from China.'" Federal laws prohibit mailing unordered merchandise to consumers and then demanding payment. If you receive merchandise that you didn’t order, you have a legal right to keep it as a free gift. 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. Federal laws prohibit mailing unordered merchandise to consumers and then demanding payment. UPS and FedEx are contending with a new wrinkle in package scams that involves fraudulently ordered electronics being returned to criminals rather than to a legitimate retail shipping address.. Watch out for this hot package scam. “I receive at least one a day, sometimes multiple,” she explained. For example: a. Save better, spend better:  Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. MDA is aware that people across the country, including in Maryland, have received unsolicited packages of seeds from China in recent days. If you receive unexpected products, get in touch with the company that sent the package to make sure someone isn't fraudulently using your account. I … Amazon could not immediately be reached for comment. It’s just to himamaex 8TTITEY, with his address then upon opening the package, there’s a gift slip that says it’s from himamaex 8TTITEY. If you have received an empty package or packages from China, or an unsolicited package from China with weird items/garbage like a piece of cardboard pater, it's because the retailer in question is involved in a scheme known as " Empty Package Scalping " / " brushing." According to Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, there's no reason to worry about packages shipped from China or anywhere else outside of the U.S. The BBB also suggests changing passwords and keeping an eye on credit reports and credit card statements. Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. They will investigate and take action on the bad actor," the BBB said. Then the following day it happened again: another unordered package from China arrived containing the same item. States are warning people not to plant the seeds they may have received in unsolicited packages. First seeds, now people are receiving unordered masks in the mail MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Cheryl Treadwell was surprised to find a package with her name of it from China with masks inside. “In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures,” the CDC’s FAQ page says. The BBB gave a few examples of what some people have found in the usually lightweight packages: flashlights, Bluetooth speakers and computer vacuum cleaners. "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. Other surfaces tested by Munster and his researchers include stainless steel and plastic, which both were contaminated after three days with the possibility remaining that it could last on those two surfaces for even longer. The virus lives some hours, 2 days max on objects and food. Beware of unsolicited packages after Amazon Prime Day — they could be part of a scam Published: July 22, 2019 at 8:21 a.m. Postal Service or U.S. … Am I obligated to return or pay for merchandise I never ordered? A. Disinfecting inanimate surfaces seems simple. For example, in one case a humidifier, a hand warmer, a flashlight, a Bluetooth speaker and a computer vacuum cleaner arrived unordered. After reports across the country of mysterious packages of seeds arriving from China, residents from New York to Georgia now say they’re getting other … Future US, Inc. 11 West 42nd Street, 15th Floor, They mark their orders as shipped, but hold on to the packages for 2 to 3 weeks to delay shipping. If you receive an invoice or collection notice for unordered merchandise, you should ask the sender to document how and when you supposedly agreed to receive and pay for the goods. He received candy twice. In an Amazon seller forum in June, there was a brief discussion of some receiving unordered packages. Yes; the Federal Trade Commission says you have "a legal right to keep it as a free gift. According to Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, there's no reason to worry about packages shipped from China or … Posted by u/[deleted] 4 years ago. Close. With the pandemic that is COVID-19, you may wondering if packages sent from Amazon, Newegg, around the world or even within the U.S. could carry infectious germs with them. ", 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.". They remove “ships from China” so customers don’t see it coming. Yesterday I received an unknown package from China with my name, address and telephone number on it. The packages appear to have originated in China, … "Once the information is out there on the internet, it could be used for numerous crooked enterprises. New York, Mysterious packages: It’s not just seeds that people in Western Pa. are receiving in the mail from China Western Pa. residents receiving other packages they didn’t order from China, not just seeds Get instant access to breaking news, in-depth reviews and helpful tips. Experts say you shouldn’t worry about getting coronavirus from a package. Coronavirus didn't change anything for me. Today we received reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of 2019-nCoV associated with imported goods, and there have not been any cases of 2019-nCoV in the United States associated with imported goods,” the CDC writes. "The company also takes security seriously and encourages customers to report fraudulent purchases or other security issues.". “Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets. Shipping from China can take another 2 or so weeks. I received a very similar question from two different KFOX14 viewers, Gloria and Rene, asking whether it's safe to open packages that were sent from China… If you receive a package like this, you're urged to contact the USDA at 202-720-2791. The publication specifically mentioned Amazon packages and “plastic cell phone cases” as being areas to which 2019-nCov could “cling.” However, it noted that we still need more studies before we fully understand how COVID-19 spreads. If you receive an invoice or collection notice for unordered merchandise, you should ask the sender to document how and when you supposedly agreed to receive and pay for the goods. Additionally, if you believe unordered merchandise was sent to you in error, you may wish to return the unopened merchandise or mail a letter to the sender explaining the problem and asking it to arrange for the … Melinda Simmons, who received two fake Nike sweatshirts from China, told James Gillespie for the Sunday Times that she found the situation 'mystifying'. Trump Signs Hong Kong Autonomy Act Imposing Sanctions On China U.S. China Online shopping Scam Mystery It's not just seeds—Americans are receiving all kinds of unsolicited packages … UPS and FedEx are contending with a new wrinkle in package scams that involves fraudulently ordered electronics being returned to criminals rather than to a legitimate retail shipping address.. Watch out for this hot package scam. in them? Officials now think these packages … Now, you might be reading this thinking, “Wow, that would be a great problem to have.” But there’s a reason why it’s more troubling than it seems at first glance! 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. Unsolicited packages sent from China containing mysterious plant seeds have been showing up at homes across America. The Department says if you receive a seed package in the mail, contact them directly so they may investigate. He received candy twice. So you got unordered merchandize in the mail that you didn't order. I'm very realistic, so I wasn't scared but I was …” she paused for a moment. Your package could get lost or stolen, or arrive far later than you anticipated. For example: a. In upstate New York, Broome County residents told the local CBS/CW station that they’ve received random packages of facemasks as well. "Free" Amazon deliveries are arriving addressed to residents who didn't order them – … Suddenly, boxes of unordered (by the recipient ... face masks or seeds from China. “I suspect that even with overnight shipping, the transit conditions are not conducive to the virus remaining viable, given that it takes a special combination of environmental conditions for a virus to remain viable (lack of UV exposure, specific temperatures, specific humidity, et cetera) that is not readily achieved in shipping,” Adalja explained. 29. Residents in Washington, Utah and Virginia have received small packages of seeds in … According to the BBB, the best course of action if you receive a mystery package is to notify the retailer. Now, people are reporting similar packages containing a face mask that they did not order or … Why unexpected packages arrive The FTC and Better Business Bureau call this the "brushing" scam. According to Dr. Amesh A. Adalja, Senior Scholar, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, there's no reason to worry about packages shipped from China or anywhere else outside of the U.S. “The temperature of the air surrounding the packages and projects during shipping is not considered conducive to viral viability,” he told Tom’s Hardware. My boyfriend is receiving gifts from himamaex 8TTITEY. Now you can add one more concern to that list: receiving Amazon packages you didn’t order. What is going on. A. The Journal of Hospital Infection researchers said that they “expect a similar effect against the 2019-nCoV.”. If you receive a package that doesn’t have your name on it, that’s another situation. The BBB gave a few examples of what some people have found in the usually lightweight packages: ... First free seeds from China, now free Amazon packages. There’s no proof that it can spread through inanimate objects. First came reports of unwanted seeds arriving in the mail from China. A new scam targeting unwitting Brits in a desperate attempt to boost online profiles is sweeping the UK. No. 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. When Hedeen went to … Today I received a small package from China with a pair of nylon shorts/pants(?) My boyfriend is receiving gifts from himamaex 8TTITEY. It's not exactly clear who is behind the packages or what their intent is, but officials suspect they … ... Technically speaking, if the package is addressed to you, you can keep it and you don’t have to pay for whatever you received. You will receive a verification email shortly. Inside was a karaoke mic he never asked for. States are warning people not to plant the seeds they may have received in unsolicited packages. NY 10036. After the customer receives the wrong product, they delay accepting a return or giving a refund. "You are not the one who hit the jackpot. The packages appear to be coming from China, according to the USDA. The seeds are sent in packages usually stating that the contents are jewelry. If you receive merchandise that you didn’t order, you have a legal right to keep it as a free gift. “Overnight packages are not how this virus will transmit, and I think the concern is completely misplaced.”. “After waiting a few hours or days, they wiped the surfaces and checked to see if they could still infect cells in a petri dish,” MIT Technology Review reported. :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. Worry about other security issues. `` now, people are reporting similar containing. People all over the United States are warning people not to plant the seeds sent! 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