Amazon scams are on the rise

May 24, 2022

Here at Salisbury Bank, we've been hearing from an increasing number of customers who have unfortunately fallen victim to Amazon scams.

According to a survey by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Amazon scams have skyrocketed - up 500 percent since last year. As Amazon tends to be one of the most-used and trusted online sources, it's important to up your game when it comes to spotting possible scams. Despite Amazon making improvements to its security, the scammers have simply become more sophisticated at subverting it.

A particularly frequent fraud, according to Amazon, involves customers who receive an official-looking email with either fake receipts and/or a shipping confirmation for orders that were never placed. When the recipient clicks on the link to find out more, the imposter asks them to update their Amazon account details or payment information, allowing them to gain access to important personal data and possibly to the victim's funds.

How to spot the scam:
Scammers are adept at mimicking an official Amazon email, so how do you know whether the email from 'Amazon' is real?

The first red flag is receiving emails or texts regarding orders you don't remember placing. Don't open the email and don't click on any links! Go directly to your Amazon.com account and review your order history. If it turns out that you didn't place the order, delete the suspicious email. If you did, and you think it may be legitimate, address it on Amazon's website directly. While Amazon Pay may sometimes need to ask you for information, you will always be directed to provide it through the Amazon Pay website (genuine Amazon Pay websites are hosted on pay.amazon.com, payments.amazon.com or authorize.payments.amazon.com).

Other red flags include:

• Incorrect language, misspelling, or grammar mistakes
• A request to "click here" to verify details or payment method - Amazon states it would never ask users to take such an action via email
• The sender's full email address ends with something OTHER than "@amazon.com"

Amazon also warns of scams where 'vendors' request Amazon.com gift card claim codes. Remember - you should not provide a gift card code by phone, text, or email.

Always use good online practices:

• Do not respond to emails, texts, or phone calls from people you don't know.
• Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments unless you are sure it's legitimate.
• Never provide personal information, especially things like your social security number, bank account numbers, and passwords to anyone you're not absolutely sure about.

What can you do if you're scammed?
Go to Amazon's website immediately to change your account passwords and be sure to enable Two-Step Verification. Keep a close eye on your credit report and credit card transactions.

Lastly, contact Amazon Customer Service. They will investigate and take action against the scammer. If you prefer to contact them by phone, make sure you have the actual Amazon phone number.

This article is designed to provide informative material and is distributed with the understanding that it does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy and interpretation are not guaranteed.