Try Prime EN Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart. Amazon could not immediately be reached for comment. Amazon has barred foreign sales of seeds in the United States, following unsolicited mystery packets being shipped to Americans, mostly postmarked from China. ©2020 FOX Television Stations. "You are not the one who hit the jackpot. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Dear Katie, My son recently ordered some bulbs and seeds for my birthday from Amazon.co.uk. Sign up here, Disinfecting wipes shortage could last into 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic, FDA list of hand sanitizers to avoid increases with more identified for methanol risk, Amazon introduces boxes that can be recycled into cat condos, forts and other creations, USDA identifies some of the mysterious, unsolicited seeds after all 50 states issue warnings, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Whitmer finally answers whether she would have accepted a Biden VP offer. AMAZON shoppers are being warned that items turning up on doorsteps that have not been ordered could be part of a scam to generate fake reviews. How many Chinese Sellers are there in 2020 and what tactics are they using to get ahead? ", Your next Amazon box might look a little different. "Free" Amazon deliveries are arriving addressed to residents who didn't order them – all part of an ongoing scam. Officials in at least 15 states across the country have warned residents not to plant unsolicited packages of seeds delivered through the mail from China. “What comes up I have no idea but I’m sure they're not going to be what I ordered,” said Trinity’s Katherine Heintz, who planted the strange seeds. ", New Amazon boxes: Amazon introduces boxes that can be recycled into cat condos, forts and other creations, Free seeds from China: USDA identifies some of the mysterious, unsolicited seeds after all 50 states issue warnings, Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko. It's not exactly clear who is behind the packages or what their intent is, but officials suspect they are part of … According to the BBB, the best course of action if you receive a mystery package is to notify the retailer. They do this in order to create fake customer profiles with real names on e-commerce sites, and then create false positive reviews for their products and/or company,” a BBB news release stated. "Once the information is out there on the internet, it could be used for numerous crooked enterprises. : Disinfecting wipes shortage could last into 2021 amid coronavirus pandemic, Hand sanitizer recalls: FDA list of hand sanitizers to avoid increases with more identified for methanol risk. Sign up here. I have received seeds arrived from China marked as earring studs. A scam company is the real winner," the BBB said in its news release Monday. "If this doesn’t work, contact your state or local consumer protection office, local U.S. Amazon.co.uk Today's Deals Warehouse Deals Outlet Subscribe & Save Vouchers Amazon Family Amazon Prime Prime Video Prime Student Mobile Apps Amazon Pickup Locations Amazon Assistant 1-16 of over 3,000 results for "vegetable seeds" FILE - Mysterious seeds sent to Washington residents in the mail from China that they did not order on July 24, 2020. They will investigate and take action on the bad actor," the BBB said. A "brushing scam" could be putting your personal info at risk. RELATED: Mysterious seeds being mailed to Virginia residents could be from China. ... (APHIS), said the experts analyzing some of the seeds from China found very few problems. The deliveries, which are not gifts, are what authorities call a "brushing scam," in which people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. The BBB also suggests changing passwords and keeping an eye on credit reports and credit card statements. Did you get mysterious seeds from China or Amazon packages you didn't order? The BBB gave a few examples of what some people have found in the usually lightweight packages: flashlights, Bluetooth speakers and computer vacuum cleaners. In fact, it is estimated that there are over 200,000 Chinese businesses currently selling on Amazon and this number is only expected to rise.. By Peter Sblendorio. Amazon, for its part, specifies that the seller is responsible for ensuring seed shipments are compliant with USDA regulations. But selling seeds online is also an attractive legitimate business for merchants in Asia who can sell a $1.50 packet of seeds from China for roughly $10 on Amazon, according to the Journal. "The Direct Marketing Association also may be able to help you. E-retailer Amazon has announced that it is banning the sale of foreign seeds in the United States after thousands of residents from across the country complained that they had received mysterious packages containing unidentified seeds from China. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Save better, spend better:  Money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. USA TODAY. Amazon has banned foreign sales of seeds in the U.S. after Americans across the country received suspicious packages of seeds, many originating in China, earlier this summer. A fake consumer profile will then be created under the receiver’s name, after which whomever the sender is, will write a false positive review on the product. The FTC also advises consumers to contact retailers for help dealing with unordered merchandise. 100% Non GMO Open Pollinated Non-Hybrid Naturally Grown Premium USA Seed Stock for … Often, the items received are lightweight and inexpensive to ship, such as ping pong balls, or more recently, face masks or seeds from China,” according a BBB news release. If there is a bio security issue DEFRA should act. Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Heirloom Futures Seed Pack with 55 Varieties of Vegetable Seeds. There was no indication of the seeds were from China on Amazon. 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. Amazon.com: china seeds. 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