The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is urging residents to report unsolicited seed packages received in the mail, warning that they may pose risks to agriculture, landscapes, and the environment. Officials warn of environmental risks”If you received these unsolicited seeds, the state urges you to not open the packaging, double bag seeds, and keep them for reporting later,” the department said. Officials emphasized, “Do not burn or compost them, or put them down the drain or in the trash.” Similar reports seen beforeThese mysterious mailings have also been reported in Wisconsin and have occurred previously in the Susquehanna Valley.In past incidents, consumers received seeds they did not order in packages labeled as jewelry, with return addresses linked to China. Scam tied to ‘brushing’ schemeThe 8 On Your Side team has previously reported on this scam, known as brushing.In brushing schemes, companies boost online sales by purchasing their own products through fake buyer accounts.The products are shipped to real addresses of individuals who did not order them, and the seller writes positive reviews of the items using fake buyer accounts.While scammers have sent empty packages in the past, some of these packages have been filled with unlabeled seeds. Officials reiterated, “Do not plant those seeds, and actually, don’t throw them out, either.” How to report packagesResidents are encouraged to report the package to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s confidential anti-smuggling hotline at 800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is urging residents to report unsolicited seed packages received in the mail, warning that they may pose risks to agriculture, landscapes, and the environment.
Officials warn of environmental risks
“If you received these unsolicited seeds, the state urges you to not open the packaging, double bag seeds, and keep them for reporting later,” the department said.
Officials emphasized, “Do not burn or compost them, or put them down the drain or in the trash.”
Similar reports seen before
These mysterious mailings have also been reported in Wisconsin and have occurred previously in the Susquehanna Valley.
In past incidents, consumers received seeds they did not order in packages labeled as jewelry, with return addresses linked to China.
Scam tied to ‘brushing’ scheme
The 8 On Your Side team has previously reported on this scam, known as brushing.
In brushing schemes, companies boost online sales by purchasing their own products through fake buyer accounts.
The products are shipped to real addresses of individuals who did not order them, and the seller writes positive reviews of the items using fake buyer accounts.
While scammers have sent empty packages in the past, some of these packages have been filled with unlabeled seeds.
Officials reiterated, “Do not plant those seeds, and actually, don’t throw them out, either.”
How to report packages
Residents are encouraged to report the package to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s confidential anti-smuggling hotline at 800-877-3835 or SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov.