500% – that’s how much Amazon-related scams have increased since 2021. Those victimized by the scammers have lost thousands of dollars and the security of their sensitive information.
In 2021, a Pennsylvanian woman received a voicemail on her family’s phone claiming that the account detected a suspicious $300 charge. Once she called them back, the scammer verified the person who lived at the residence with the Amazon account.
The woman said, “The more hesitancy that I showed with the person on the phone, the more arrogant they got.”
Hackers want you to act first and think later. Consider the questions they ask and what they demand from you. For this woman, the red flag was the scammer requesting remote access to her device.
That’s when she checked the Amazon account and saw that no recent purchases had occurred. Thankfully, she spotted the red flag just in time.
Keep reading so you can spot red flags in Amazon scams.
1. Suspicious Language
Amazon employs people fluent and well-versed in English to write their emails. Trust your gut if you read a message that seems slightly off or awkward. If you are concerned about what the email communicates, navigate to your Amazon account via the Amazon website. Don’t click on the links provided.
2. “Download Anydesk”
Amazon will never ask you to download apps or software. Some users have reported fake Amazon customer service phone calls saying they detected a fraudulent charge on their account.
The scammer will instruct them to download the Anydesk Remote app, which gives the scammer remote access to your device. Once this happens, the scammer can steal information and money. Some victims have lost thousands of dollars from their bank accounts due to this scam.
3. “Click Here!”
Don’t verify your details or payment method via email, text, or phone. Amazon will never ask you to take these actions via these methods.
These scam messages often encourage you to click a link to fix the issue. If you have concerns regarding your Amazon account, navigate to the main page and go from there.
4. Strange Emails
If the email address does not end with “@amazon.com,” it is from a scammer.
Look very closely — sometimes the email address will resemble “@amazon.com” by being spelled like “@amaz0n.com” or “@amozon.com.”
5. Promises of “Free” Gifts
Nothing good in life is free, and the saying isn’t any less true regarding Amazon. People received messages on Whatsapp claiming that Amazon’s 30th-anniversary celebrations come with “free gifts for everyone.” Users are also asked personal information questions on gender, age, and type of phone (Android/iPhone).
Protect Yourself With Personal Cybersecurity
Stay wary of Amazon messages and emails. Be confident that the message is legitimate. If unsure, navigate to Amazon’s home page instead of clicking links.
Consider purchasing cybersecurity to protect your devices and information. Agency, a cybersecurity company, provides business-level security that protects you from cyber attacks like malware and viruses.
Agency also offers 24/7 monitoring and response against cyber threats by cybersecurity experts. Sign up for our newsletter to try a 1-month trial for free!
