To your surprise, you receive four pairs with a bill. If you receive merchandise that you didn’t order, you have a legal right to keep it as a free gift. Report Seeds or Plants Received by Mail and Submit for Testing A New York woman received roughly a dozen packages containing a random assortment of items. Ray Walsh, a data privacy expert at ProPrivacy, told Newsweek: "Anybody who receives an unexpected package needs to be aware that their data is being misused by the seller. While the origins of these mystery items are unconfirmed, the random packages may be a part of a similar scam of which people across the country are on the receiving end. Sending unsolicited goods in itself is not an offence. According to the Federal Trade Commission, you don’t have to pay for it. You are allowed to keep the item as a gift, or you can … ...You respond to an advertisement offering a free "trial" pair of pantyhose. Georgia resident Kelley Litty told WSB-TV that she received masks from China that she didn't buy: "It says China on the label for masks. Protections for In-Home Purchases: The Cooling-Off Rule, Stopping Unsolicited Mail, Phone Calls, and Email. 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. South African laws in the past have always been less strict on direct emailing than those of the US and Europe. The USDA said in a statement it did not have any evidence that this was something other than a "brushing scam," where people receive unsolicited items … The United States Department of Agriculture believes that the mystery seeds were being sent to the U.S. as part of a brushing scam, which involves sellers sending unsolicited items (which are typically light and easy to ship) and then post fake customer reviews to boost sales. It seems crazy they are sending me stuff free of charge that just goes in the [trash].". Prior to the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) in South Africa, it was legal to send unsolicited emails provided that: You're well within your rights to keep them. "However, it is theoretically possible that victims' data could be exploited for these kinds of malicious purposes," he said. A. If this doesn’t work, contact your state or local consumer protection office, local U.S. 1,000 percent sure I did not order any mask. Give them a deadline for when they should do this and if you do not hear from them by this date you will dispose of the item. First seeds, now people are receiving unordered masks in the mail. that they have not ordered. And it doesn't make sense. About 10 years later, the first-ever known chain email was sent with the subject line “Make money fast” to numerous inboxes in 1988. It is illegal for companies to send you a card that you did not request. Find the sender’s details and contact the company and tell them that you have received the item and that you expect them, or their courier, to come and collect it. If you get an unsolicited package in the mail containing seed packets, do not open it, do not … Find out how to stop unsolicited mail. No. Bradley checked his documentation and … Consumer watchdog Which warned of brushing scams in a 2018 article and reported that Amazon customers were receiving items they had not ordered. Although you have no legal obligation to notify the seller, you may write the seller and offer to return the merchandise, provided the seller pays for shipping and handling. To continue reading login or create an account. When you participate in sweepstakes or order goods advertised as "free," "trial," or "unusually low priced," be cautious. Federal laws prohibit mailing unordered merchandise to consumers and then demanding payment. If you receive merchandise you didn’t order, you may keep it as a gift. "USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment.". By Lydia Nusbaum | August 6, 2020 at 10:41 PM CDT - Updated August 8 at 10:16 PM . 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. Americans have been receiving mystery packages, including seeds, as part of a suspected brushing scam. Democrats and Liberals Must Get Back To Economic Basics, Democrats Must Emphasize Boldness, Not Moderation. Despite your objections, the company continues to send you notices demanding payment and threatening your credit rating. If … The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 state that you have a right to keep goods delivered to … Placer Agriculture Commissioner warns: Do not open or plant unsolicited seeds received in the mail. ‘Hundreds, and perhaps thousands’ of people have received unwanted seeds in the mail By Emily Sweeney and Travis Andersen Globe Staff, Updated July 30, 2020, 12:35 p.m. Email to a Friend Unsolicited merchandise is yours to keep. It's a complete surprise. "Often, the items received are lightweight and inexpensive to ship, such as ping pong balls, or more recently, face masks or seeds from China," said a BBB statement. If someone has received an item as part of a brushing scam, it may mean that their personal information has been leaked, which can be dangerous. "For this reason, victims of brushing must carefully monitor their bank accounts and credit or debit cards for any unauthorized activity. The term “unsolicited promotional sample” refers to any article of merchandise that is sent through the mail free of charge and that is unrequested by the addressee. Unsolicited Merchandise Occasionally, consumers receive in the mail shipments of merchandise, books, magazines, etc. Postal Inspector, or the Better Business Bureau in your area for help. See why nearly a quarter of a million subscribers begin their day with the Starting 5. 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." Report Seeds or Plants Received by Mail and Submit for Testing No. Here are some questions and answers about dealing with unordered merchandise. Now, it appears that Americans are receiving more than seeds. Unordered items are considered “unsolicited goods”, and can be kept but only if they are addressed to you and there has been no previous contact with the company relating to the item. "Neither are of any use to me and nothing I have ordered. Amazon told CBS News that it investigates all customer reports of unsolicited packages and shuts down the accounts of vendors or reviewers found to be abusing the review system. FedEx workers sort through a pile of boxes at the FedEx sort facility at the Oakland International Airport December 18, 2006, in Oakland, California. A. Though the UBE did generate a couple of sales for the company, the general reaction from those who received it was negative. Face masks used by many around the world to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have joined the list of items arriving by mail unsolicited in Tampa-area homes. And, recipients of unsolicited merchandise are under no obligation to pay for items received. A. He provided his information and got a CD in the mail a few weeks later. Unsolicited packages and seeds received in the mail. Amazon packages showing up in the mail usually brings a smile to one's face, but for some unlucky people, it's just another mess to clean up. A. The check you received may have amounted to only a few dollars and appeared to be a rebate on some item, or perhaps a refund for overpayment of an account. You may receive samples that are clearly marked free, and merchandise from charitable organizations asking for contributions. "If you receive a brushing parcel it is vital that you hand it in to the police so that they can forward it to the US postal inspector's office for the purpose of tracking where it came from. ", You have 4 free articles remaining this month, Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles. The socks looked like they were used. A. Unsolicited Goods Law and Legal Definition Unsolicited goods are those goods which are sent to someone without being asked those goods to be sent. AUBURN, Calif. – Placer County’s Agriculture Commissioner is warning residents to not open or plant unsolicited seeds received through the U.S. postal service. What Options Do I Have Regarding Unwanted / Unsolicited Mail? Although Bradley thought he only agreed to receive one CD, he began to get a new CD every week. ...You receive a pocket knife that you never ordered. Except for (1) free samples clearly and conspicuously marked as such, and (2) merchandise mailed by a charitable organization soliciting contributions, the mailing of un­ordered merchandise or of communications prohibited by subsection (c) of this section constitutes an unfair method of competition and an unfair trade practice in violation of section 45(a)(1) of title 15. Read all the fine print to determine if you are joining a "club," with regular purchasing or notification obligations.Keep a copy of the advertisement or catalog that led you to place the order, too. More unsolicited items received from China. 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. Items received could be dangerous, which means that they must be disposed of correctly.". The USDA said in a statement: "At this time, we don't have any evidence indicating this is something other than a 'brushing scam' where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. Walsh explained that there is no evidence of a brushing scam leading to crimes like identity theft and bank fraud. Are you legally obligated to pay for an unsolicited product you receive in the mail? Items that firms send to you, but you didn't actually order are called "unsolicited goods". One person named Karyn who appears to be from the U.K. commented on the article on July 29, 2020, and said: "I've been getting parcels from China, there are no sender details other than a postal address which when searched doesn't tell me much, I've checked all my online accounts and there is no money being taken, they are items like nail stickers for false nail art, and a wig cap! 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. The Direct Marketing Association also may be able to help you. You may keep such shipments as free gifts. ", Faith Tankersley told WSB-TV that she received a fake Ray-Ban sunglasses: "I don't think people are sending this in goodwill in my opinion. Thought it was odd and threw them away.". Postal Inspectors do recommend you report unsolicited merchandise to the Inspection Service and the FTC using their online reporting portals. I'm just afraid that there may be something harmful to them. sheriff: "do not use unsolicited items received in the mail" Posted about four months ago by LISA CLARK In the last few days, a couple of incidents have been reported to the Adair County Sheriffs Office and to the County Judges Office involving unsolicited mail. However, demanding payment for unsolicited goods is a criminal offence. From then, unsolicited … No note attached. If you receive an unsolicited credit card in the mail then there is a problem. Two others also commented and said they had each received multiple packages in July 2020. He soon began receiving bills and collection letters. And a Massachusetts couple received unwanted packages … ", In New York, Dawn Proctor told WBNG that she received a package of socks from China: "No invoice attached. We all kind of laughed about it. Always start by trying to resolve your dispute with the company. Yes. There are two options available for handling unsolicited packages or plant material received in the mail: Report the seeds or plants and submit them for testing or Dispose of the seeds or plants using the methods described below. This definition includes items such as patent medicines, cosmetics, laundry products, and razors. Advertisement Another possible reason for Amazon brushing is that it serves as a set-up for porch pirates. Federal law makes it illegal for companies to send you something that you did not order and then bill you for it. This may make it easier to contact the company if a problem arises. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Cheryl Treadwell was surprised to find a package with her name of it from China with masks inside. What do you do when you receive merchandise that you didn’t order? 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