Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about. All I have contacted the supplier asking what they are playing at, and informed Amazon that they may be breaking the bio security rules. "The Direct Marketing Association also may be able to help you. "You are not the one who hit the jackpot. The company’s decision comes after thousands of U.S. residents reported receiving unsolicited packets of seed from China, prompting all 50 states to issue safety warnings. Amazon banning sale of foreign seeds after thousands of consumers received unsolicited packets in mailboxes postmarked from China. Did you get mysterious seeds from China or Amazon packages you didn't order? … Mysterious seeds from China are not the only strange unwanted packages arriving on doorsteps. (Photo: Michelle Maltais, USA TODAY), "The fact that someone was able to have the items sent to you as if you purchased them indicates that they probably have some of your personal information such as your name, address, and possibly, your phone number," the BBB said. Mr. Crenshaw said he had ordered blue zinnia seeds from Amazon, but when he got the package about two months ago, it contained the blue zinnia seeds as well as seed … Dear Katie, My son recently ordered some bulbs and seeds for my birthday from Amazon.co.uk. People in several states have reported finding packages in their mail from China that appear to contain things like jewelry but in fact contain packets of mysterious seeds. “Scammers mail lightweight (inexpensive to ship) packages, such as ping pong balls and seeds, to people who did not order the merchandise. © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The seeds, which have no label and are wrapped in plastic, are raising concern by officials that they could be invasive species of plants that are harmful to native plants and animals. 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. 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. Wochit. USA TODAY. RELATED: Officials in Florida, other states warn about mysterious seed shipments from China. The BBB gave a few examples of what some people have found in the usually lightweight packages: flashlights, Bluetooth speakers and computer vacuum cleaners. Unsolicited Amazon boxes now showing up at homes in the same way packages of seeds, possibly from China, have been. They will investigate and take action on the bad actor," the BBB said. I will not be planting them. If you've received unordered packages from Amazon or other retailers, it could be part of a brushing scam. Selling on Amazon is HUGE in China. “For example, in one case a humidifier, a hand warmer, a flashlight, a Bluetooth speaker and a computer vacuum cleaner arrived unordered. Heirloom Futures Seed Pack with 55 Varieties of Vegetable Seeds. According to the BBB, the best course of action if you receive a mystery package is to notify the retailer. FILE - Mysterious seeds sent to Washington residents in the mail from China that they did not order on July 24, 2020. 100% Non GMO Open Pollinated Non-Hybrid Naturally Grown Premium USA Seed Stock for … This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The seed types included flowering plants, herbs and vegetables. Yes; the Federal Trade Commission says you have "a legal right to keep it as a free gift. 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. 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. According to Amazon's policy web page, the ban extends to plants and plant products. “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. 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.. "Free" Amazon deliveries are arriving addressed to residents who didn't order them – … Officials in Florida, other states warn about mysterious seed shipments from China, Mysterious seeds being mailed to Virginia residents could be from China, Nashville officers heard audio warning from RV before it exploded, 2 children die in Christmas morning fire on Detroit's east side, Adorable girl gifts everyone a 'box of peace' this Christmas, Wayne County Board of Canvasser Chairwoman, Monica Palmer, speaks out after receiving threats, Michigan AG, Dana Nessel, warns parents to be on ‘high alert’ for sextortion, 18-year-old wanted for killing two sisters near former State Fairgrounds turns self in, Police say 2nd person found dead in home where elderly woman was killed, husband injured, New rule could require servers to share their tips with co-workers, US Department of Labor says, Threats made by a Pres. ©2020 FOX Television Stations. Amazon.com: china seeds. It's not exactly clear who is behind the packages or what their intent is, but officials suspect they are part of … Osama El-Lissy, with the Plant Protection Program of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said in a July 29 statement that 14 different species of the seeds were identified from the “brushing” scams. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. After mysterious seeds were sent to thousands of people, some unsolicited, in the United States from China, Amazon has announced changes to only allow seeds to be sold by sellers in the U.S., according to Amazon’s updated policy. : 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. I have received seeds arrived from China marked as earring studs. "The company also takes security seriously and encourages customers to report fraudulent purchases or other security issues.". RELATED: Mysterious seeds being mailed to Virginia residents could be from China. The U.S. is a seed exporter to Asia but not a seed importer. Amazon, for its part, specifies that the seller is responsible for ensuring seed shipments are compliant with USDA regulations. A “brushing” scam is when boxes of unordered packages arrive with a Chinese return address, or sometimes the packages appear to come from Amazon or another retailer, according to the BBB. TRINITY, Fla. - Reports of mystery-seeds being delivered to people’s homes from China are popping up all over. But can you keep the freebie? To report unsolicited seeds, individuals can fill out the form provided by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, here. She recently ordered some tulips bulbs from Amazon back in late April. 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. While this isn't a new scam, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers "of a scary downside" of getting free boxloads of merchandise from Amazon or other companies. 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. Sign up here. "Once the information is out there on the internet, it could be used for numerous crooked enterprises. All summer, people have been receiving unsolicited packages of seeds, mostly from China. In an Amazon seller forum in June, there was a brief discussion of some receiving unordered packages. Some people are apparently using Amazon to send thousands of seeds to recipients that didn’t order them in the U.S. Try Prime EN Hello, Sign in Account & Lists Sign in Account & Lists Orders Try Prime Cart. On the bad actor, '' the BBB said in its news release Monday other States warn about mysterious shipments! 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