WV Department of Agriculture Warns Public About Seed Packet “Brushing Scam”

WEST VIRGINIA — The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is warning residents about a botanical scam involving unsolicited seed packets arriving through the mail. The agency says anyone who receives a package of seeds they did not order should not open it and should immediately report it to the department.
According to the WVDA, the packets are believed to be part of a Chinese “brushing scam,” a scheme in which companies send unsolicited items to boost online sales activity or create fake customer reviews. Officials say the seeds pose a potential biosecurity risk, as planting unknown or unregulated plant material could introduce invasive species or plant diseases into the state.
The department is urging anyone who receives one of these packets to contact the WVDA at 304‑558‑3200 for guidance on how to safely surrender the material.