Amazon Sends Email to Customers on Common Scam Tactics

We’ve reported on several Amazon scams, but for once, there is positive news. Amazon sent an email Thursday morning highlighting the top scams your users should watch out for:

Prime Membership Scams

Per Amazon, “These are unexpected calls/texts/emails that refer to a costly membership fee or an issue with your membership and ask you to confirm or cancel the charge. These scammers try to convince you to provide payment or bank account information in order to reinstate a membership.”

Account Suspension/Deletion Scams

Per Amazon, “Scammers send texts, emails and phone calls stating that your account will be suspended or deleted and prompt you to click on a fraudulent link or verbally provide information to “verify your account.” Customers who land on these pages or receive these phone calls are then lured to provide account information such as payment information or account login credentials.”

Amazon noted that they will never ask you to disclose any confidential information from you over the phone or on any website other than Amazon.com. 

They also included some helpful tips to identify these types of scams and how to keep your account safe online: 

1. Trust Amazon-owned channels – Always go through the Amazon mobile app or website when seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account.
2. Be wary of false urgency – Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they’re asking. Be wary any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now.
3. Never pay over the phone – Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information, including gift cards (or “verification cards,” as some scammers call them) for products or services over the phone.
4. Verify links first – Legitimate Amazon websites contain “amazon.com” or “amazon.com/support.” Go directly to our website when seeking help with Amazon devices/services, orders or to make changes to your account.

If you receive communication — a call, text, or email — that you think may not be from Amazon, you can report it at amazon.com/reportascam. Remember, your employees are the last line of defense. New-school security awareness training will teach your users how to spot and report these popular scams. 

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