As millions of Americans fill their Amazon carts this holiday season, scammers are shopping too, but for your personal information.
IdentityIQ, a leading identity theft protection company, reports a spike in calls to its Fraud Restoration Department about Amazon-related scams over the past several weeks.
This surge is driven by cybercriminals sending convincing phishing texts and fake refund notices, as well as impersonating tech support to exploit shoppers’ trust in Amazon.
“Scammers know that Amazon is a household name people trust,” said cybersecurity expert Michael Scheumack, chief innovation officer at IdentityIQ. “That trust is exactly what criminals are counting on to make these refund texts convincing so that scammers can steal your data.”
A New Wave of Amazon Impersonation Scams
Amazon scams are not new, but experts say they are becoming more sophisticated. The scams often rely on impersonation tactics to trick consumers into clicking malicious links, sharing sensitive information, or giving access to financial accounts.
Some of the most common scams include:
Amazon Prime Membership Scams
Scammers send texts, emails, or calls claiming there is a problem with the recipient’s Amazon Prime membership. Victims are told there has been an “unusual charge” or that their membership fee has suddenly increased. The fraudulent message urges consumers to click a link or call a fake customer service number, where scammers attempt to steal bank or credit card information.
Account Suspension Scams
In this scam that relies on creating a fake sense of urgency, consumers receive alarming messages claiming their Amazon account will be suspended within 24 hours due to “suspicious activity.” The fraudulent link leads to a fake Amazon login page designed to capture usernames and passwords. Some consumers even receive phone calls from spoofed numbers that appear to be legitimate.
Amazon Refund Scams
These scams involve texts or emails claiming a purchase is defective and that the recipient is owed a refund. Once the victim clicks the link or speaks to the scammer, they are asked to “verify” bank or credit card information in order to process the refund.
Scheumack said these scams are becoming increasingly realistic and often reference real purchases.
Amazon Prime Video Scams
Fake websites or apps posing as Amazon Prime Video offer access to exclusive content. Once users enter their login credentials, scammers steal their account information. Some fake apps also install malware on victims’ devices.
Technical Support Scams
Amazon members receive unsolicited calls claiming there is an issue with a device or Amazon account. Scammers attempt to convince consumers to grant remote access to their computers to access sensitive personal and financial data. Amazon does not call customers to request remote access under any circumstances.
Why Amazon Scams Spike During the Holidays
Scheumack said fraudsters time these scams to coincide with the busiest online shopping period of the year. With consumers tracking packages, updating orders, and checking email confirmations more frequently, scammers can more easily hide among the legitimate Amazon messages.
How Shoppers Can Protect Themselves
Scheumack urges consumers to take several precautions while shopping online this season:
- Only use official Amazon channels. Manage your orders and account exclusively through the Amazon website or mobile app.
- Ignore unsolicited emails and texts. Never click on links from unknown senders or messages claiming your account is locked or your membership is in danger.
- Never pay over the phone. Amazon will not call to request credit card or banking information.
- Watch for a false sense of urgency. Scare tactics such as “immediate action required” are common red flags.
- Verify before you trust. If something seems off, log in directly through Amazon’s website to confirm whether the message is legitimate.
- Use identity monitoring services to spot suspicious activity early. These tools can alert consumers to new credit inquiries, compromised personal information, and fraud that may stem from an Amazon impersonation scam.
Why Identity Protection Matters
With Amazon impersonation scams on the rise, even careful shoppers can be caught off guard. IdentityIQ offers identity and credit monitoring that alerts you to suspicious activity early and provides support if fraud occurs.
For an added layer of security this season, get IdentityIQ identity theft protection to help safeguard your personal and financial information.
