Wisconsin residents receive packages of unsolicited seeds

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Updated: 12:37 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is warning residents about packages many are receiving across the nation and in the state.

Authorities say the packages appear to come from China, but it is not known what kind of seeds they are.

DATCP says to not plant or throw away the seeds because they could be an invasive species. If possible, people are asked to keep the seeds in the original sealed packages and then go on DATCP website to report it. Right now, authorities are still gathering data on why this is happening.

"We just don’t know at this point which is why we’re asking folks to report these packages to us so that we can share that with the USDA and they can continue to investigate," DATCP Communications manager Grace Atherton said.

The Wisconsin BBB said this could be a brushing scam.

"What happens is that there are usually foreign companies that will write awesome reviews about themselves and they’ll send you their products and they’ll claim that you wrote that review so you get something you didn’t order, but they get a good review," BBB Serving Wisconsin CEO and President Jim Temmer said.

Temmer said if this happens to you, also change your passwords on your online accounts.

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Posted: 12:08 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Agriculture officials say Wisconsin residents are receiving unsolicited packages of what appear to be Chinese seeds.

Authorities in multiple states issued warnings Monday about unsolicited shipments of foreign seeds and advised people not to plant them.

They say the seeds are unknown and could be invasive species or be harmful to people or livestock.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection announced Tuesday that state residents have received seeds that appear to have originated from China.

The department is advising people who receive seeds to report it to the agency using an online form

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