Amazon has issued a "do not click" warning to all its users following an increase in impersonation scams.
Amazon has warned customers that as Black Friday and Christmas approach, they see a surge in impersonation scams. An impersonation scam is when a scammer reaches out to you pretending to be someone you trust to get sensitive information like national insurance numbers, bank information, or Amazon account details.
According to Amazon, scammers change tactics quickly to ensure that it is harder for them to be detected - Wales Online reports. The company has since given advice so users can be aware of the scams out there and know what to do in a situation where they are potentially being scammed.
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One scam is the 'email attachment scam' in which scammers send emails posing as Amazon and include a PDF attachment stating that your account has been suspended or on hold. These attachments will prompt you to click on a fraudulent link which will then claim to "update your account".
Amazon has said these links lure you to provide personal information, such as payment information or account login credentials. In cases like these, Amazon strongly advises its users not to click on any links or provide any of their information without authenticating the email or verifying the link.
To do this, users can visit the Message Centre here, which displays a log of authentic communications sent from Amazon.
Overall, Amazon has offered its users five important tips in order to identify a scam and how to keep their account and information safe. They are:
1. Trust Amazon-owned channels:
Always go through the Amazon mobile app or website when seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account.
2. Be wary of false urgency:
Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking. Be wary any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now.
3. Never pay over the phone:
Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information, including gift cards (or "verification cards," as some scammers call them) for products or services over the phone.
4. Verify links first:
Review the link for misspellings or repeated characters. Legitimate Amazon websites contain "amazon.co.uk" or "amazon.co.uk/support." Go directly to their website when seeking help with Amazon devices/services, orders or to make changes to your account.
5. Verify email senders:
Legitimate Amazon emails contain “@amazon.co.uk”. In your web browser, hover over the display name under “From” to see full sender address. Look for misspellings or added or substituted characters. Visit the Message Centre to view authentic messages from Amazon.
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