As the busy holiday shopping season approaches, Amazon shoppers face an unfortunate reality—they are prime targets for scammers. Amazon has been warning its customers to be cautious of bad actors who attempt to hack into their accounts through scam emails, calls, and texts.

Heightened Risk during Peak Shopping Seasons

According to an Amazon spokesperson, there is an increased risk of fraud impacting consumers during peak shopping seasons. As we enter the months of November and December, two specific types of scams become more prevalent.

Scam Type 1: Fake Emails Impersonating Amazon Representatives

Scammers send emails pretending to be Amazon representatives and attach messages claiming that the recipient's account will be suspended or put on hold. These attachments contain fraudulent links, which prompt unsuspecting recipients to update their accounts and provide personal financial or other sensitive information. Scammers then exploit this information for their gain.

Scam Type 2: Targeting Amazon Prime Members

Amazon Prime, with over 200 million members worldwide, is another area scammers frequently exploit. They often contact Prime members via phone calls, text messages, or emails, posing as Amazon representatives. They claim there is a payment issue that needs immediate resolution to reinstate the customer's Prime membership. In the process of resolving the supposed issue, scammers extract personal information from the unsuspecting victims.

Escalation of Prime Member Scams

Amazon has observed a significant increase in customer reports regarding this type of scam during the July-December period. The company has witnessed a fourfold surge in customers reporting fraudulent attempts to resolve payment issues related to their Prime membership.

A Costly Affair for Amazon Customers

Scams targeting Amazon customers result in substantial financial losses. The Federal Trade Commission reports that Amazon is a top choice for scammers, with around one in three individuals who reported a business impersonator stating that the scammer claimed to represent Amazon.

In a span of twelve months that ended in June 2021, the FTC received reports from 96,000 Amazon customers who had been targeted by scammers. Out of that number, 6,000 individuals reported monetary losses. The total amount of scam-related damages during that period exceeded $27 million, with a median loss of $1,000.

Protecting Yourself Against Amazon Scammers

Introduction

Amazon shoppers need to be cautious about protecting themselves from scammers. These bad actors are adept at impersonation, using logos, website addresses, and other details to deceive unsuspecting consumers.

Verifying Your Purchase

When you receive a message regarding an Amazon purchase, it is crucial not to respond directly. Instead, go directly to Amazon's official website and check your purchase history to ensure that the message is genuine. Only take action if you confirm that the message is legitimate.

Payment Requests

Always remember that Amazon will never ask for payment over the phone or email. Any such requests should be regarded as suspicious. Amazon only requests payment through its mobile app, website, or physical stores. If you receive a call asking for payment or a bank transfer on another website, it is undoubtedly a scam.

Software Installation

Reporting Scammers

If you are contacted by scammers, take immediate action by reporting the issue at ReportFraud.FTC.gov. Additionally, inform your family and friends about these scams to protect them from falling victim. Sharing your knowledge can help others avoid becoming targets.

Legislative Solution

Stephen M. Kohn, an attorney and consumer-fraud expert, believes that a legislative solution is necessary to combat scammers targeting Amazon shoppers and other consumers. He calls on Congress to pass a law that allows whistleblowers to come forward and report companies engaged in these fraudulent activities. Effective enforcement procedures are key to combating the growing trend of consumer fraud.

By following these precautions and supporting efforts to create stricter regulations, consumers can better protect themselves against scammers and ensure a safer online shopping experience.