How to Identify the Sender of an Anonymous Amazon Package

Receiving an Amazon package you did not order can be puzzling. While some deliveries are genuine gifts sent anonymously, others may be part of a scam known as brushing, where sellers send unsolicited items to boost their ratings.

Steps to Identify the Sender of an Amazon Package

• Check the Return Address: The package may include a return address belonging to the sender, Amazon, or a third-party shipper. Recognizing the address can help identify the sender.
• Examine the Packing Slip: Inside the package, a packing slip often contains the sender’s name, address, and details about the item. However, if the sender chose to remain anonymous, this information might be absent.
• Use Tracking Information: Tracking details can reveal the package’s transit locations, which may help trace the sender, though it rarely provides their identity directly.
• Check Gift Options in Your Amazon Account: Log into your Amazon account, review your orders, and look for the Gift Options section for the relevant package. If marked as a gift, you may see the sender’s name and message.
• Contact Family and Friends: Sometimes the simplest way is to ask close contacts if they sent the item anonymously.
• Be Aware of Brushing Scams: These involve unsolicited, low-value items sent to inflate seller ratings. Such packages often lack personal notes and may seem random. If you suspect brushing, report the package to Amazon with relevant details.
• Contact Amazon Customer Support: Amazon can verify if the package was sent as a gift but will protect the sender’s privacy. Reporting suspicious packages can help Amazon investigate fraudulent activity.

Expert Advice on Handling Unknown Packages

Joan Kuria, an Amazon Marketplace expert, advises consumers to look for gift receipts or notes inside packages and to verify their Amazon order history before assuming a package is suspicious. She warns against scanning QR codes or clicking on links from unknown packages, as these may be phishing attempts.

She recommends securing Amazon accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication, regularly monitoring order history and payment methods, and reporting any suspicious deliveries to Amazon promptly.

Sending Anonymous Gifts on Amazon

Amazon allows buyers to send gifts anonymously by selecting the Gift Receipt option during checkout. This hides the sender’s information from the recipient.

While it may not always be possible to identify the sender of an anonymous package, following these steps can help clarify the situation and protect you from potential scams.