People are receiving unsolicited bags of seeds from China
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Paranormal
CNN — 5 years ago(July 28, 2020 11:02 AM)
If you've received a mysterious package of seeds in the mail lately, don't plant them.
Several states are issuing warnings after residents across the nation have reported receiving unsolicited packages that appear to have originated in China. The packages typically have Chinese characters on the label and contain a sealed packet of unknown seeds that some state agriculture departments say could be invasive plant species.
"Invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops," the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said in a news release on July 24.
"Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations."
It's unclear who exactly is sending these packages, why they're being distributed and whether the seeds are actually harmful. The department asked that anyone who has received this type of package in the mail contact the Office of Plant Industry Services.
Agriculture departments in Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and Washington state are among state agencies that have issued similar warnings. Departments also cautioned people not to open the sealed packages of seeds and to keep the labeling intact so that officials could investigate.
Utah resident Lori Culley is one of the people who received a package of seeds, according to CNN affiiliate KSTU. She told the news station that though "most of the writing on the outside was in Chinese," the package label indicated that it contained jewelry.
Jane Rupp, president of the Better Business Bureau's Utah chapter, told KSTU that she suspected the packages could be a scam called "brushing," in which third-party sellers send recipients items they didn't order so that they can write a positive review on their behalf while posing as a verified buyer.
"That is rather random. I don't think I've heard of seeds before," Rupp told KSTU. "The first thing to do is Google your address and see what's out there … Numerous things will come up when you Google your address. It's kind of scary sometimes."
Plants and seeds that are shipped to the US from other countries are heavily regulated by the Plant Protection and Quarantine Program, which is managed by the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Seeds that are imported into the US must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that ensures the product is free of pests and diseases.
https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/27/us/unsolicited-seed-packages-china-trnd/index.html
This is CNN. -
100% American — 5 years ago(July 29, 2020 12:52 AM)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8569561/Mystery-plant-seeds-sent-China-U-S-homes-solved.html
'We have done some researching and it does appear that these seeds are tied with an online scam called 'brushing',' the Whitehouse police department in Ohio said.
'A brushing scam is an exploit by a vendor used to bolster product ratings and increase visibility online by shipping an inexpensive product to an unwitting receiver and then submitting positive reviews on the receiver's behalf under the guise of a verified owner.'
Experts in North Carolina agreed.
'According to the Better Business Bureau, foreign, third-party sellers use your address and Amazon information to generate a fake sale and positive review to boost their product ratings,' said Phil Wilson, director of the plant industry division for North Carolina's department of agriculture.
'Seeds are just one of the items used in this scam, however, you could receive other inexpensive items such as rubber bands, plastic toys, or empty bags.' -
100% American — 5 years ago(August 25, 2020 08:32 AM)
Now people are receiving unsolicited masks from China:
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/627405/people-receiving-face-masks-from-china-in-mail
https://www.nbc12.com/2020/08/08/first-seeds-now-people-are-receiving-unordered-masks-mail/
https://www.knoe.com/video/2020/07/30/family-receives-suspicious-package-filled-with-masks/
https://www.khou.com/article/money/a-single-face-mask-americans-receiving-mysterious-packages-from-chinese-online-retailers/285-6c94db3f-fa01-41c9-87c0-7b9868ab11ef
Bewildered residents in several states, including Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and Florida, have received unsolicited packages from China that contain face masks. While the packages haven’t caused any harm, cover labels that list recipients’ names, addresses, and even phone numbers have left people a little ill at ease.
“All of this information, including my cell phone number, [was] on there,” Shan Sharp of Clearwater, Florida, told WFLA. “I was afraid to even open it after I saw it.”
Sharp opted for the better safe than sorry route and threw her package right in the garbage, but others are holding out for an explanation before they take action.
“I just keep them tied up and sealed,” Michelle Barron of Hickory, Pennsylvania, told KDKA after a police officer advised her to dispose of the masks.
It’s not the first time in recent weeks that reports of unsolicited mail from China have circulated in the news—some people have also gotten packages of seeds. If you’re one of them, definitely don’t plant the seeds, since they could be damaging to the plants and wildlife in your area.
Though the mystery might never be fully solved, the Federal Trade Commission suspects that it could be a “brushing” scam, where retailers mail products to random consumers and then submit positive reviews online in their names. They might create new accounts using your information, or they might hijack your existing accounts. If you’ve received an unordered package, you should closely monitor your shopping accounts and contact customer service if you see a review (or any other activity) that isn’t yours. Changing your passwords is a good idea, too.
As for the products themselves: You have no obligation to try to ship them back or pay for them—but you might want to take the advice of Virginia’s Tazewell County Sheriff’s Department and simply toss them in the trash, even if they seem safe to use. -
Margo — 5 years ago(August 25, 2020 11:34 PM)
Mysterious masks also? What the heck is China up to?
https://youtu.be/iPUwtyZglQI
https://youtu.be/QRTNm6GLJYI
️ Christina 1986-05-20 
..?