Yesterday I received an unsolicited package from Amazon, addressed to the previous occupier, who moved out more than two years ago. It was of low value (dishwasher tablets) with no packing note or any documentation. A Google search suggests this could be a 'brushing scam' (whatever that means) to create a false review or a false sale. I have reported this (online) to Amazon. Has anyone encountered this? Is there anything I should be worried about? Obviously I will look out for bank payments, emails and phone calls. I appreciate there is a possibility that the tablets could be counterfeit or hazardous.
SOT: possible Amazon scam
Aug 23, 2026
Last reply: 2 hours ago
11 Replies
Scott snipped-for-privacy@gefion.myzen.co.uk> wrote
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Very likely
Nope, if there is a problem, it's only for the previous occupier
No reason for that unless you have real enemies
Could also just be a simple error, Amazon allows you to have several delivery addresses for such things as forwarding gifts to other people. It might be the case the previous occupier clicked on the wrong delivery address during the purchase. It is always worth reviewing delivery addresses and deleting outdated ones, I have made the same mistake following our recent house move not with Amazon but with another company which fortunately was a small family business and responded quickly following an email.
If it was for a previous occupant then I suggest its more than likely they still have the old address in Amazon and bought something by mistake. Its easily done! Dishwasher Tablets are not what I would have thought are typical items for brushing scam. They are not what I would call low value!
I would report them using this page:-
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Dave G4UGM
3 separate houses in 3 different streets , had last week delivered 6x2 Litre packs of drinking water in their clear plastic wrap, all the same make, all left on the public pavement outside those houses. No Southern Water problems locally and 2 of the packs still left in the street 3/4 days later. Perhaps the same issue. I don't know any of the "recipients" and not the sort of thing to go door-knocking and enquiring about. All very odd.
If possible, contact your vendors and ask them.
We moved here nearly 30 years ago. Whilst not in contact with the vendor, we know where he moved, and we know he still lives there. YMMV. :)
I have done this. I assume it will be easy for Amazon to delete someone else's address (mine) from an account if this is the case.
Not sure what they will do. I have several addresses in my account which are not mine. Mostly places my son has lived in while moving jobs.
My wife has similar in hers. She managed to order a lawn mower for him and sent it to an old address. She rang Amazon who just said "we will send you another to the proper address, if you can't get some one to use the wrongly delivered one we will collect it". I think it went to a church.
Dave
Yes, but in this case there is an objection by me to the use of my data. If they don't agree to delete, I think they need to show a lawful basis for not doing so.
It's the address of your home, I agree, but I'm not entirely convinced that it's your data, as it's not linked to your name or other details. So, you may well find that Amazon simply refuse to amend another customer's account on your say-so.
Your best bet by far is to contact the user of the account, as I'm sure they are upset that their dishwasher stuff has gone missing.
Amazon could help themselves in this situation, by sending an occasional reminder to anyone (individuals, not companies) who has multiple delivery addresses on their account. "Please review and amend as necessary."
That is an intriguing point that I had not thought of. My name and address would be personal data but my address only is in the public domain.
I lost contact with him when I purchased the house and left no forwarding address. Amazon would refuse to supply his details to me for data protection, as would I expect the estate agent. I wonder what the attitude of Police Scotland would be if I tried to hand it in as lost property.
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