Seed packages appearing in local mailboxes may arrive carrying more than unsolicited items to plant.

Officials believe the packages could carry one or two different threats: A QR code on the package itself that could contain malware and/or seeds that could pose environmental and/or agricultural risks. Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company responded to three calls last weekend regarding suspicious packages, each following the arrival of seed packets that arrived in the mail that had not been ordered by the recipients.

The first call, on Friday, May 23, started as an unsolicited package “and a party with symptoms,” according to a May 24 statement issued by BVFC’s Office of the Chief. The following day first responders were dispatched to two additional locations in Brookfield, both following reports of suspicious packages. Firefighters, working with Brookfield Police Department, investigated both locations and found another two packages of seeds.

“In the process of the investigation, it appears that this is part of a nationwide brushing scam,” the statement continued. The Federal Trade Commission describes a brushing scam as unexpected packages showing up at a home, then the sender using the recipient’s name to write a fake online review after finding the recipient’s personal information online.

These scams are so named because they brush up, or increase, a scammer’s sales. The true danger, according to the FTC, is if a package arrives that has a real name on it, but wasn’t ordered by the recipient, it means “someone likely” has that recipient’s personal information. The scam can lead to identity theft or other fraud.

Earlier this month the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) began urging residents to remain vigilant following reports of unsolicited seed packages arriving by mail.

“Seeds can pose a significant risk for US agriculture and natural resources because they can carry diseases or insects that may harm crops,” the groups said via a May 7 release. “Imported vegetable or agricultural seed must meet labeling and phytosanitary requirements and be inspected by USDA and customs at the port of entry.

“The USDA is committed to preventing the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protecting US agriculture from disease, invasive pests, and noxious weeds,” it also noted.

The CAES and CT DoAg urge residents to remain vigilant following reports of unsolicited seed packages arriving by mail. The groups both say it is important to follow guidance from US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to report and safely handle the suspicious shipments.

USDA Preferred Option

The USDA’s preferred option for anyone who receives the suspicious seed packets in the mail is to surrender the packets directly to the department. The Connecticut location is at 97 Barnes Road-Unit 200 in Wallingford.

Seeds can be dropped off at that address, or mailed to USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine Office, USDA APHIS PPQ, 97 Barnes Road Unit 200, Wallingford CT 06492.

Before the seeds are put into the mail, the following steps should be taken:

Place the unopened seed packet and any packaging, including the mailing label, in a mailing envelope.

If the seed packets are open, first place the seeds and their packaging into a zip-lock bag and seal it. Then place everything into a mailing envelope.

Include name, address, and phone number so that a State or Federal agriculture official can contact the sender for additional information if needed.

If anything other than the unsolicited seeds was received, send only the seeds to the USDA.

Another Option: Report, Then Disposal

The USDA also offers the following steps for those who want to dispose of the seeds — after reporting them to a local agricultural experiment station, in this case CAES at caes.stateentomologist@ct.gov.

Those reporting the seeds should also provide their name, address, phone number and email address.

*Do not open the seed packet.

*Completely wrap and enclose the packet with duct tape.

*Place the wrapped seed packet in a zip-lock bag, squeeze out any air, and seal.

*Place inside another zip-lock bag, squeeze out any air, and seal.

*Fold over to reduce size and completely cover the folded bag with duct tape.

This will help prevent the bag from bursting and will keep water and sun from reaching the seeds.

*Discard in trash.

Additional information is available at www.aphis.usda.gov.

Local Concern

Newtown Conservation Commission Chair Holly Kocet reached out to CAES after hearing about the new concern.

“They can’t state enough how important it is to surrender unopened packets to Wallingford,” she said May 13.

“They need information from the public on the number of occurrences that are happening,” Kocet also noted. “You can discard the seeds in the trash, but you really need to let the Ag Station know how much of this is happening.”

Kocet, who is also past president and educator for Protect Our Pollinators, said her worry about the scam “is the same as the CT Agricultural Experiment Station in that people may plant them and the seeds may be invasive. They may carry disease, which could spread.

“The seeds may contain an invasive pest insect that could damage crops and trees. We’ve seen a lot of that,” she added.

When she spoke with the CAES representative, she said, Kocet was told that until officials receive and can inspect the seeds and packets, they won’t know if they are coated with “something like a pesticide.”

While corn and soybean seeds are regularly coated so that fields can be sprayed and the seeds won’t be affected, she said, if the unsolicited seeds “are coated with a chemical, especially a pesticide, it could be a systemic pesticide. That can get into the seed, and then all parts of the plant as it grows, including the flower.

“If a bee or butterfly sips the nectar it could be poisoned,” Kocet said. “That would be a concern of mine.”

Protection From Brushing Scams

The USPS offers the following tips on protecting one’s identify from brushing scams.

*Do not pay for the merchandise.

*Return to sender.

If marked with a return address, and it is unopened, a package may be marked “RETURN TO SENDER” and USPS will return it at no charge.

*Keep it.

If a package has been opened and the recipient likes it, they may keep it. By law, recipients may keep unsolicited merchandise and are under no obligation to pay for it.

*Change account passwords.

Personal information may have been compromised.

*Closely monitor credit reports and credit card bills.

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Managing Editor Shannon Hicks can be reached at shannon@thebee.com.