Box from Amazon addressed to TPA3
 

Has anyone ever got such a box?

Now to figure out what to do with it.... don't plan on opening it.

Mistake!

Haven’t experienced that but if I did I would try to email to Amazon and ask them what they would like to have done.

How in the world did it end up at your door? Is your name or address anywhere on it?

I do not remember the details, but I recall some type of scam with boxes delivered to random people so the sender could generate glowing reviews of products.

TPA3 is an Amazon warehouse in FL. Something got screwed up. Probably be a good idea to contact Amazon.

That happens more than people think. If a product is about to be discontinued by Amazon for lack of sales, the seller might buy a thousand units of his own product and ship to a random address. I know of a person that received 2,000 can openers. They called Amazon, it was not a mistake. Someone (likely the seller) paid for them and happen to pick her address for delivery. She gave them to the local food bank. In some cases it’s cheaper for a seller to give away a few thousand items than to lose Amazon as a point of sale.

Personally I received an Amazon package (to my name and address) that I never ordered, a single item – a bed spread for a twin bed. I called Amazon for instructions. They told me to keep it. I recall giving it to a neighbor. All I have is couple kings, a twin spread would look more ridiculous than what I have now.

This is perhaps a brushing scam?
Brushing Scam – United States Postal Inspection Service

Sure it’s not yours? No pending orders from Amazon?

I find it hard to believe that an Amazon driver just decided to drop it off at your house.

Perhaps a label fell off or is being overlooked.

The OP said it was addressed to TPA3. TPA3 is an Amazon warehouse northeast of Lakeland off Interstate 4.

That doesn't explain why it was sent to the OP, but no - it wouldn't be the OP's order.

Smishing
 

Thanks! And now I have a name for those notifications I get for packages that "can't be livered" - "smishing". :-) Weird times in which we're living.

TPA is the airport code for Tampa
 

TPA is the airport code for Tampa, where Amazon has a large distribution center. My guess is that the Tampa Distribution Center was the intended destination.

Looking at the wrong label?
Look at most recent Amazon orders that were delivered. Did you get them all?

I have a really nice e-bike up for sale on Talk of the Villages, a paid ad. Never ridden or even turned on. In the past two weeks I have been targeted by three scam artists all pulling the same scam: they promise to send me a cashier’s check or certified check for $2,000 more than I’m asking ($1,500), and when the check clears, they’ll pick up the e-bike and I give them the $2,000. Then, a couple days later, the “cleared” check at my bank turns out to be fake, and I’m out of luck. I told them no. These scammers prey upon us all. No redeeming social value.

do not scan any QR codes. Could be a scam

I blame the banks. They need to clarify to their customers the real meaning of a "cleared" check.

On a related topic, the banks should require their merchants, especially restaurants, to process offline credit card transactions in the presence of the customer.

Why don't they do these things???

On your related topic, the answer might be time and cost. Now they need one card reader or one card reader per register. To scan at every table would require the central server, the communication network, and at least one reader for every server. There is a cost for that.

Then there is the time required. When a server scans a card the most time required is waiting for the printer. If they have to scan four cards for a split check then they have to wait for four printouts. If they bring the device to the table then they have to explain the device to the customer, wait while the customer fumbles through using it, wait while the customer decides on a tip, wait while the customer chooses a receipt option (none, email, printed), and then possibly go back to retrieve the receipt. If the process needs to be repeated for all four people at the table it could be a lengthy stop. Meanwhile, another customer (me) is still waiting for that drink he ordered.

As to checks, there ought to be a fixed amount of time (three business days perhaps) that a bank has to fully "clear" a check. If the bank has not notified you of a problem by that time then the money should be yours. If such a time frame exists, I haven't heard of it. I understand the problems of clearing a check but with the technology available today, three business days should be sufficient.


I am still wondering why the package was left at the OP's door. If his address was not on the package then why did the Amazon driver stop at his house at all? Maybe the driver doesn't look at the address on the package, maybe they have instructions that say "stop at address #6 and leave package from bin C" and in this case the wrong package was put in bin C. If he didn't order anything then the "brushing" scam might be part of it but it is still strange that the package did not have his address on it.

Unless the TPA3 was the warehouse it was shipped to from another warehouse before shipping to their house.

Turn it over to the police. They will find out where it came from.

Back to Amazon boxes...

When you do receive a box (anything) on your front porch, make sure that the ORIGINAL TAPE is fully and firmly in place ..

Although very rare, things can be disguised in boxes....I won't say anything more on that topic. Just be aware.

Again - it still doesn't explain how the driver decided to deliver it to THAT house. The OP indicated that HIS address wasn't on that box.

Same problem
 

The scam is on for the holidays. Beware everyone!!

Receiving a package addressed only to "TPA3" indicates it was sent from an Amazon fulfillment center, specifically located in Auburndale, Florida. TPA3 is the code for that facility. This situation often arises due to errors in the shipping process, where packages are misaddressed or sent to the wrong recipient.

Potential Reasons for Receiving the Package:

Brushing Scam: This is a common issue where scammers send products to random addresses to create fake reviews for their items. If you receive a package you did not order, it's advisable to report it to Amazon, but you can keep the item without any obligation. You may as well open the box.

Shipping Error: Sometimes, packages are simply misdirected due to clerical errors during the fulfillment process.

What to Do Next:

Check Your Amazon Account. Ensure that no unauthorized orders were placed under your account.

Report the Package: Use Amazon's reporting tools for unsolicited packages or potential scams.

Keep or Discard: You can choose to keep the item or dispose of it as you see fit, as you are not required to return unsolicited merchandise.

If this continues happening, consider contacting Amazon customer service for further assistance.

In this situation, I think I would:

First, check my Amazon account and make sure I hadn't been charged for anything that I didn't order.

Second, take the package to Kohl's (which is an Amazon return agent) and tell them the story and let them take care of the problem. Indicate to Kohl's that you can't request a return sticker because you didn't order anything in the first place, "It just showed up on my doorstep".

Third, walk out of the door without the package. :)

Check the box for all labels. TPA3 is one of the Amazon warehouses. It's possible your address is actually on the label but you're looking in the wrong spot.
Post a photo of the label here for us to see.
I see no harm in opening the box to see what's inside.

Don't take the package to kohl's. Follow the directions posted above - they are a copy-paste from Amazon.