DOVER, Del. (August 4, 2020) – Over the past week, Delawareans continued to receive unsolicited packages of mysterious seeds appearing to originate in China. As of August 3, citizens from all 50 states, Canada, Australia, and member nations of the European Union have reported the presence of similar unwanted shipments.

Due to the increased volume of people reporting the receipt of illegally shipped seeds, USDA has requested the assistance of the state departments of agriculture in collecting seeds from residents. The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) has processed more than 40 packages of seeds to be tested by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

If you received a package of seeds, make sure to save the seeds and the package they came in, along with the mailing label. Do not open the seed packets. If the packets are already open, place all the materials including seeds and packaging into a zip lock bag and seal it.

DDA is asking you to complete an intake form available online at https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries and submit it along with the sample. This will help investigators have a better understanding of why you were targeted in this brushing scam. If further information is needed, state and/or federal officials may reach out to ask more questions.

Individuals can submit these packages and the intake form either in person or by mail to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 S. DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901.

While there does not appear to be any human health risks, out of an abundance of caution, people should wear gloves and limit touching the material. People who believe they are experiencing a health issue as a result of touching these seeds should contact their medical provider.

USDA is looking to obtain as many of these unsolicited seed packages as possible to determine if they present a threat to U.S. agriculture or the environment. Of the seeds identified so far, USDA has found a mixture of ornamental, fruit and vegetable, herb, and weed seeds. These seeds should never be planted; however, if they have been sown, USDA has issued destruction and sanitation instructions (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/faq-unsolicited-seeds.pdf).

Based on information provided by constituents, the packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them. All contained some sort of seed packet either alone, with jewelry, or another inexpensive item. It is believed that these shipments are part of a brushing scam where shippers send out low-cost items at their own expense in order to rank higher on e-commerce sites. Brushing helps the seller create a more legitimate appearance to their profiles.

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DOVER, Del. (July 27, 2020) – The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) received reports over the weekend from several Delawareans who received unsolicited packages of seeds in shipments from China. After sharing information through social media, DDA found that there were more than just a few random shipments and more residents have been impacted.

Based on information provided by constituents, the packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them. All contained some sort of seed packet either alone, with jewelry, or another inexpensive item. It is believed that these shipments are part of a brushing scam where shippers send out low-cost items at their own expense in order to rank higher on e-commerce sites. Brushing helps the seller create a more legitimate appearance to their profiles.

Anyone who has received a package with seeds is asked to report the shipment to the Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance Program (SITC) by calling the Smuggling Hotline at 1-800-877-3835. Recipients are asked to leave everything inside the package to help investigators trace the origin.

The seeds have not been identified but based upon the packages there are multiple plant varieties being shipped illegally. No one should ever plant seeds they did not order because they could be an invasive species. SITC will provide instructions on how to handle the seeds and in the case that they were planted, how the plants should be handled.

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Delaware’s Director of the Office of Unclaimed Property (OUP), Brenda Mayrack, is warning residents about fraudulent scam text messages that are circulating across several states, including Delaware. These messages invite recipients to follow a link to access the “DE un-claimed asset database.” Please be advised that OUP never communicates with claimants or potential claimants by text.

Similar text messages have been reported in New Jersey, Michigan, Louisiana,and Idaho. This type of message is not an authorized form of communication from OUP and should be treated with extreme caution. Never follow any link from a questionable source – ignore or delete these messages and visit the OUP website to securely and safely search for Delaware unclaimed property, to file a claim, or check the status of a claim at https://unclaimedproperty.delaware.gov.

The Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit is alerting residents of a phone scam regarding missed jury duty service. Similar scams have been reported in the past.

In the scam, consumers receive a call from a (302) area code. After answering, a live caller referring to themselves as “Major,” and claiming to have a judge on the line, tells the consumer that bench warrants have been issued for their arrest due to failure to appear for jury duty. The consumer is instructed to bring two Money Pak vouchers to the Leonard L. Williams Courthouse within an hour order to satisfy their warrant. The consumer is told that they will be reimbursed with a check once their name is cleared.

Delawareans eligible for jury duty are always notified about their obligation to serve jury duty by mail; never by telephone. Delaware Courts would never threaten immediate arrest in this way and under no circumstances would demand money.

DOJ also reminds residents to be extra diligent about this or other telephone scams by:

• Never agreeing to pay any fine or other money over the phone, including by purchasing a money order or gift card at a store and providing the number to someone over the phone or by email. Government agencies do not take payments this way.
• Not answering calls from unknown numbers or unfamiliar persons. Scams can be “spoofed” to appear to be coming from a local number, even though the call is originating from out of state or overseas.
• Hanging up on aggressive callers, particularly those who threaten arrest.

Delawareans who receive calls about jury duty can check to see if they have been summoned by calling Delaware Superior Court Jury Services at (302) 255-0800 for New Castle County, (302) 735-1901 for Kent County, or (302) 855-7055 for Sussex County.

Consumers who believe they may have been scammed may call the Consumer Protection Unit’s toll-free Consumer Hotline at (800) 220-5424, or e-mail consumer.protection@delaware.gov. Consumers can also report scammers’ phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry and file complaints at www.donotcall.gov.

Example Scam Letter April 2019

The Delaware Division of Revenue wants to alert citizens to a new taxpayer scam that is happening in Delaware. Victims may receive a letter from “The Bureau of Tax Enforcement” that threatens property seizure and wage garnishment unless they call a toll-free number to “avoid enforcement.”

“These scam mailings are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking they have received an official communication from the Division of Revenue,” warns Director Jennifer R. Hudson. The notices threaten the seizure of the taxpayer’s property if the recipient fails to make immediate payment. The scammers are accessing public records in order to include taxpayer-specific information on the notices to make them appear legitimate, and then using pressure tactics and fear to motivate the recipient into taking immediate action.

Taxpayers who think they may have received such a letter should contact the Division of Revenue at (302) 577-8200, option 3, with any questions. Taxpayers should also file a Consumer Complaint with the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit. Information about the complaint process is available at https://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud/cpu/ and the complaint form is available online – Consumer Complaint Form.