Get ready for some amazing deals while safeguarding the ones you love! Amazon Prime Day is a great time to find amazing deals on various products. This is also a great opportunity for scammers to do what they do best… But while you’re hunting for bargains, scammers are hunting for you.
At our Marine Credit Union, we want to help you stay safe from these scams. In this blog, we will show you how to spot Amazon Prime Day scams, what to do if you suspect you’ve been scammed, and how else to keep your money safe. Let’s learn how to outsmart the scammers together!
Brief Explanation of Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is an annual shopping event exclusive to Amazon Prime members, featuring various deals and discounts across all categories of items.
These deals typically span 48 hours and offer significant savings on electronics, home goods, fashion, and more. Prime Day has become one of the biggest shopping events globally, attracting millions of shoppers.
On the other hand, it also attracts plenty of scammers, which is why we are here trying to safeguard you!
Amazon Scams You Need to Know About
1. Order Update Scam
In this scam, after placing an order on Amazon, the shopper receives a phone call, email, or text claiming there’s a problem with their account. The shoppers are then instructed to update or confirm their information to receive their purchase, often asking for payment details or other personal information.
How to avoid it: If you’re prompted to update payment details and it feels suspicious, check your Amazon account directly. If there’s no prompt to update your payment method there, the message is likely from a scammer.
2. Refund Scam
A shopper receives a message stating they were overcharged for a recent Amazon purchase and are owed a refund. They are directed to call a number where an “Amazon representative” will ask for access to their computer to issue the refund, leading to unauthorized access to the shopper’s financial accounts.
How to avoid it: Any legitimate notifications from Amazon will be available on their website. If you are owed a refund, you’ll find the details in your account.
3. Off-Platform Payment Scam
Shoppers are asked to follow a link for a payment outside of Amazon. Paying off-site means losing Amazon’s purchase protection and potentially receiving a faulty product or nothing at all.
How to avoid it: Authentic Amazon sellers will never request payment outside of Amazon’s platform.
4. Amazon Prime Video Scam
Shoppers looking to set up Amazon Prime Video on their SmartTV are directed to bogus sites resembling Amazon’s setup page. They are asked to enter a six-digit code and call a provided number. The scammers then request the two-factor authentication code sent by Amazon, granting them access to the shopper’s account.
How to avoid it: Never share your passwords, authentication codes, or login details over the phone. Set up Amazon Prime directly through Amazon’s website.
5. Prizes & Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals
Sometimes shoppers are lured by links or phone numbers promising prizes or lost-listed items. Engaging with these scams leads to requests for personal information or malware being downloaded onto their computer.
How to avoid it: Avoid following seller directions away from Amazon’s site. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
What is a Brushing Scam?
A brushing scam is a tactic used by sellers to boost their product rankings and reviews on platforms like Amazon. It involves scammers purchasing their own products using fake accounts or real customer information obtained unlawfully.
They then ship the products to random addresses, making it appear as if legitimate purchases were made. After this, the scammers leave positive reviews using the fake accounts, which makes the product seem more popular and reliable than it actually is. If you receive unsolicited packages from Amazon, it could be a sign that you are a target of a brushing scam. While you get to keep the item, it is crucial to report it to Amazon to help curb this fraudulent activity.
While this scam might not be the most common, it is still important to look out for and report ASAP. Now we will talk about how to prevent Amazon scams and report them.
How to Prevent Amazon Scams
Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from potential Amazon, or other online scams:
Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Emails and Texts: Scammers often send phishing emails or text messages that look like they come from Amazon. These messages may ask for personal information or direct you to fake websites. Always double-check the sender’s email address and avoid clicking on suspicious links.
Verify Deals on Amazon’s Official Website: If an offer seems too good to be true, it might be a scam. Always verify deals by visiting Amazon’s official website directly, rather than clicking on links from emails or social media.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security to your Amazon account can help prevent unauthorized access. Enable 2FA in your account settings to receive a verification code on your phone whenever you sign in. Follow this link to find out how to set up 2FA.
All of these steps help prevent you from being scammed by spotting signs of a potentially risky deal. If you have already been tricked by a scammer’s tactics, here is how you can handle that situation.
What to Do If You Fall Victim to an Amazon Scam
If you fall victim to an Amazon scam, you may wonder, what’s next? Can you dispute the fraudulent purchase? Can you get your money back? While credit card companies typically offer protections for unauthorized transactions, handling Amazon scams involves specific steps:
Report the scam to Amazon immediately: Contact Amazon’s customer service to report the fraudulent activity.
Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Go to Reportfraud.ftc.gov and file a complaint to help the authorities track and stop scammers.
Contact your bank: Inform your bank about the fraud to dispute the transaction and protect your account.
Reach out to local authorities if necessary: If the scam is extensive or seems dangerous, contact the authorities right away for further assistance.
If your Amazon account is compromised or a fraudulent purchase is made, act promptly. Report the incident to Amazon, providing any relevant details like order numbers and transaction history. Depending on the circumstances, Amazon may help you recover your account or refund the fraudulent purchase, but outcomes can vary based on their policies and the nature of the scam.
Yes, Amazon takes account security very seriously. If Amazon detects any suspicious activity on your account, such as unusual login attempts or changes to your account settings, they will notify you via email or text message (depending on your settings). Always take these notifications seriously and follow the instructions provided to secure your account.
Where to Forward Amazon Phishing Emails
If you receive a phishing email that appears to be from Amazon, you should forward it to Amazon’s official phishing email address: reportascam@amazon.com.
Reporting these emails helps Amazon take action against the scammers and protect other customers. Find out more information at Amazon’s “Report a Scam” page.
How to Stop Fake Amazon Text Messages
To stop receiving fake Amazon text messages:
Report the Message: Forward the suspicious text message to 7726 (SPAM), which is a free service for reporting spam texts.
Block the Sender: Use your phone’s messaging app to block the sender.
Do Not Respond: Never reply to suspicious messages, as this can confirm your number to the scammers and lead to more attempts.
By staying cautious and informed, you can enjoy Amazon Prime Day without falling prey to scams. Always verify the authenticity of communications and report any suspicious activity to Amazon.
Marine Credit Union wants the best for our customers. If you suspect you are a victim of a scam,please contact us right away for further assistance.
Happy shopping, and stay safe!
Additional resources for fraud and identity theft protection:
