A Rising Scam Eastern Iowans Should Be Aware Of

The old adage is that if criminals would just put their minds to something good, they'd be super successful. I guess that they're trying to scam people so they don't have to work a day job or any job at all.

Have YOU Brushed?

I was watching a football game from another market, and a news alert popped up from the local police about a scam that had not hit the area yet, but they were getting lots of reports of the scam in neighboring towns.  What was this scam they were warning us about?  Brushing!

You heard me right, brushing.  Did you brush today?  If you did, my goodness, you're lucky, because actual brushing has nothing to do with it.  They need names for these scams and they don't always hit the mark.

What is Brushing and How Does it Work?

A scam called "brushing" has been popping up in several states, and while we haven't had any local reports yet, we want to make sure everyone is aware so you don't become a victim. 

Here's how it works: you get an unexpected package in the mail—maybe from Amazon or another company—with a random item inside, like a ring, bracelet, Bluetooth speaker, or necklace.

The package will have your address on it, but there won’t be any sender information or anything that shows who it’s from. When you open it up, you might see a QR code and be curious about where it came from, so you scan it. 

If There's a Catch, Here it is

Scanning that QR code can give scammers full access to your phone, including all your personal and financial info. This means they can potentially drain your bank accounts and steal sensitive information. 

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So, if you receive a random gift, don’t panic! You can keep it or throw it away, but whatever you do, do not scan the QR code. Scammers have used these codes before, and they can pop up in all sorts of places—even on parking meters. 

Please spread the word to your family and friends so everyone can stay safe! If you get some free stuff, great, just try not to scan the QR code.  I never tell you what to do.  I know you'll do what you want.