Bad Actors use every conceivable avenue to separate consumers from their cash these days, so it makes sense that bad actors frequently pretend to be big companies or institutions affiliated with millions of people like massive retailer Amazon. Amazon was the second-most frequently impersonated business in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The agency received about 44,000 reports about scammers using Amazon's name, with $19 million reported lost. 

Abigail Bishop, Amazon’s head of external relations for scam prevention says “We have a zero tolerance policy for any bad actor who’s impersonating our brand,” adding that the company has an international team of attorneys and investigators working with law enforcement around the world to stop scammers. Last year, Amazon initiated takedowns of more than 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 phone numbers impersonating Amazon.  While Amazon says it’s going after the bad actors, financial losses due to scams are still on the rise.

Common Amazon Scams

In the first 6 months of 2024, among Amazon customers who reported financial loss, the top three tactics scammers used were:

• Phone calls from scammers regarding a recent fake order they say the customer needs to pay for, or they ask for personal information from customers for verification to cancel the fake order. In May 2024, 50% of all financial loss reported by customers was from this tactic. 

• Emails from scammers regarding a customer’s Prime membership in which a fake invoice is provided to the customer. Customers are then asked to provide card information or personal information to cancel the payment. 

• Emails from scammers regarding customers’ Prime membership in which they are told their Prime membership has expired or there is a billing issue with their Prime subscription. Customers are then asked to provide card information to renew their membership.

• Caller ID spoofing. You get a phone call from an unknown number or one “spoofed” to look like it’s coming from Amazon. When you answer, the caller claims to be from Amazon’s customer support or the security team. The caller tells you there’s an issue with an order you placed or that your financial data was compromised. If you don’t answer, they might leave a voicemail with a recorded message filled with similar threats. The caller then says you can solve the problem by sharing personal information, such as your Amazon account username and password. With these credentials, scammers take over your Amazon account and steal any stored credit card numbers.  Since many people shop on Amazon, receiving a call from the company’s support or security team may not seem suspicious. But Amazon will never ask you to provide or verify sensitive information over the phone.

• Phishing/ Smishing Scam. Most Amazon email and smishing scams follow a similar blueprint, you receive an unsolicited email or SMS that seems to be from Amazon. The email/SMS looks bonafide, complete with Amazon’s branding, logo, and typeface. The message notifies you of an issue with your account — for example, a billing question, a suspended account, or a problem with a recent order. You are encouraged with urgency to resolve the issue right away. Conveniently, the email/SMS includes a link or phone number. If you call the number, an impersonator attempts to get you to disclose financial information or your account login credentials. If you click on a link, it directs you to a fraudulent website, where scammers capture any information that you share. Clicking on links  could also initiate a malware download on your computer or phone. Once installed on your computer, ransomware or spyware can quickly scan your device and steal your personal information. Beware that as Amazon scam emails and SMS become more sophisticated, it’s easier for hackers to disguise malicious links.

Beware….  

Scammers know that you trust Amazon, which makes the company a perfect cover for their schemes. other common scams include: Sellers asking for payments off-platform, Calls requesting personal information, “Mystery boxes” on Amazon, You’re owed a refund from Amazon, Fake listings with real reviews, Amazon Prime Video scam websites, Demanding payment with Amazon gift cards, Lookalike Amazon pages, Fake invoices for Amazon purchases, Amazon technical support scams, Packages that you didn’t order, Fake Amazon job offer scams, Amazon “write a review” scams and more

 HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

• Use the Amazon mobile app or website for customer service, tech support, or account changes

• Be wary of false urgency

• Never pay over the phone

• Install and keep an anti-virus program updated

• If you’re asked to update your payment information and/or something seems off, go directly into your Amazon account and check the “Your Orders” section. If you aren’t prompted to update your payment method on that screen, the message you received is from a scammer. Amazon will never ask for payment over the phone, by text or via email.

• Any notification from Amazon will be available on the company’s website. If you are owed a refund, you’ll find all the information you need to know within your secure account.

• Authentic Amazon sellers will never ask for payment outside the actual Amazon site.

• Never share your passwords, authorization codes and/or login credentials over the phone. If you need to set up Amazon Prime Video on your Smart TV, visit Amazon’s website directly and follow the instructions here. It’s also good to know that all legitimate Amazon websites have a dot before “amazon.com,” such as “pay.amazon.com”. Any link to a website that contains the words “amazon” but does not follow this rule is a scam site.

• Never follow a seller’s directions away from the actual Amazon site.

• If something seems too good to be true, it likely is.