Better Business Bureau Warning - RE: China Post – Unmarked seed packets
Topic: China Post – Unmarked seed packets
Unmarked seed packets are arriving in mailboxes around the United States with no explanation or reason, and with a return address in China. The package bears the name "China Post" and may be labeled as jewelry, small electronics, or some other item.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is actively encouraging recipients not to plant the seeds, but to instead save them, along with the packaging and mailing label, in a plastic bag, and contact their state plant regulatory official or Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) state plant health director. Experts also advise washing hands if accidentally handling the seeds, as a precaution. Recipients should hold on to the seeds, and the original packaging, until someone from the state department of agriculture or APHIS contacts them. Under no circumstances should anyone plant the seeds.
APHIS is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border
Protection and state departments of agriculture to prevent the unlawful entry of prohibited
seeds and protect U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds. Sources at the
U.S. Postal Inspector Services said they are also looking into the situation.
BBB recommendations:
Check your personal information. The package may be a sign that your personal data
has been compromised. Keep a close eye on your credit report, bank accounts, and credit
card bills. Looking up your name and address using a search engine can, in some cases,
reveal how public your information has become.
Do not open the seed packet and avoid opening outer packaging or mailing materials, if
possible.
Do not plant the seeds or discard them in the trash that will be landfilled.
Limit contact with the seed package until further guidance on handling, disposal, or
collection is available from the USDA.
BBB recently reported on an increase in brushing scams affecting consumers. It is not
known if this is a brushing scam. Questions regarding shipments of unsolicited merchandise
should be directed to your local BBB or visit BBB.org.
Report possible scams to BBB Scam Tracker.
Sign up for BBB Scam Alerts.