Full Breakdown
Unwanted Amazon Deliveries Plague Elgin Senior
3/1/2026, 8:02:01 PM
Mysterious Packages Flooding Pat Hurley's Home
Pat Hurley, a 79-year-old resident of Elgin, Illinois, has been inundated with over 100 Amazon packages that she did not order. Despite not having an Amazon account, Hurley has received these deliveries since last summer, with some days seeing as many as 20 packages arrive at her doorstep. The boxes, which bear her address but different names, have accumulated in her garage, causing her significant distress and discomfort.
Hurley, who has mobility issues, expressed her frustration, stating, "It’s not funny, it’s not cute, and I am fed up." Her son has been assisting her in dealing with the situation, noting that some packages weigh over 60 pounds, making them difficult for her to manage. The family initially reported the issue to Amazon last year, but they were advised to keep the packages, which only compounded their frustration as the deliveries continued.
Attempts to Resolve the Issue
In an effort to address the situation, Hurley and her son attempted to donate the contents of the packages, which appear to be art supplies, to local schools and charities. However, they faced challenges as organizations declined to accept the items due to safety concerns. After further communication with Amazon, the family was instructed to obtain shipping codes from each box and file claims individually, a request they deemed unreasonable.
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure of their next steps, they reached out to the ABC7 I-Team for assistance. "We didn’t know where else to go, what else to do," Hurley stated, highlighting their desperation for a resolution.
Possible Brushing Scam
Experts suggest that Hurley's experience may be indicative of a "brushing scam," where third-party sellers send unsolicited items to individuals to create fake accounts. These accounts are then used to post false five-star reviews, manipulating product rankings. While Amazon has not confirmed this as the cause of Hurley's situation, a spokesperson acknowledged the issue and stated, "We’ve reached out and apologized to Brian and his mother for this experience. We’re investigating and working toward a long-term resolution to prevent this from happening again."
Amazon's Response and Resolution Efforts
Following the involvement of the I-Team, an Amazon driver visited Hurley's home to collect the packages. Although the driver left before being filmed, the family expressed hope that the situation would soon be resolved. Amazon has committed to further investigating the matter and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
As the community navigates the complexities of online shopping, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any similar occurrences to prevent potential scams.
