Last month, Amazon sent me an email about online scams. It was a timely message with Prime Day only weeks away. Black Friday-level discounts promised all the excitement of “Christmas in July.”
During the COVID lockdowns, the Amazon app was my shopping ally. When we moved into our new home, it helped me decorate the rooms. This holiday season, it will help me with my Christmas shopping.
Odds are, you’re also an Amazon customer. In fact, Amazon has more than 300 million active users, and Amazon.com is the most visited ecommerce site on the web. It attracts shoppers – and scammers – around the world.
That’s why “beware of holiday scams” is a message worth sharing – whether you shop for Christmas or “Christmas in July.” Today, we’ll learn how to identify scammers who try to impersonate Amazon during the holidays.
Let’s get started.
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Why Amazon Shoppers?
The following clues can help you identify and avoid holiday scams. But first, let’s consider why scammers target Amazon shoppers: sheer volume.
Besides 300 million users, Amazon has listings for more than 350 million products. Amazon sells 12 million items, and third parties sell the rest. And by the way, these product counts don’t include books, media, and services.
With so much to offer, it’s easy to see why people the world over turn to Amazon. I shop there based on convenience or availability. But a customer survey found the following reasons to be the most impactful to shoppers:
- Fast and free shipping
- Wide product selection
- Desire to use their Prime membership
- Best product prices
- Easy returns and refunds
Despite the many benefits, shopping on Amazon comes with risks. The immense volume of products offers plenty of opportunity for scams and theft.
Desperation plays a part, too. Supply chain problems and shipping delays affect product availability and cost. As a result, you might be willing to take some risks to get that perfect holiday gift.
Scammers know this. In fact, they’re banking on it, and they’ll try everything in the book to catch you in their net. So it’s up to YOU to exercise caution, avoid risks, and protect yourself.
Beware of Holiday Scams
Every holiday season, thousands of Amazon shoppers fall prey to scammers. Scam artists are clever and persistent. If you’re not careful, they can rob you of your money, personal data, even your merry mood.
Don’t let them.
Be especially alert when you’re shopping for the holidays. Learn how to identify common red flags that scammers use to target you.
Holiday scams can take many forms. Non-delivery and non-payment crimes are the most prevalent scams. The first applies to customers who order goods but never receive them. The second involves sellers who ship goods but are never paid.
This post focuses on helping Amazon customers beware of holiday scams. This includes non-delivery crimes, credit card and gift card fraud, and identity theft. If you’re an Amazon seller, the FBI has tips for buyers and sellers alike.
Five Clues to Look For
Luckily, there are ways to identify scams. Here are five clues to look for when you do your holiday shopping on Amazon. Read them, take notes if needed, then put them into practice right away.
📋 DISCLAIMER – I am not a cybersecurity expert. The content on this page is for general information only. It is not a substitute for professional security, financial, or legal advice.
1. Never Give Information Over the Phone
Never let anyone pressure you to provide information over the phone – especially if you didn’t make the call. Guard your account password, credit or debit card number, and other personal information.
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Scammers use phone calls, emails, and text messages to impersonate Amazon. If you are not familiar with a caller, hang up and go straight to the source. Reach out to customer support through the Amazon app or website.
2. Never Make a Payment Over the Phone
Amazon will never ask you for payment information over the phone. This includes gift cards – scammers call them “verification cards” – for goods or services.
Amazon offers many different payment options and a secure internet connection. They accept credit and debit cards, checking accounts, and gift cards. Businesses can use the Pay-by-Invoice option, if desired.
3. Never Allow Remote Access to Your Device
Be wary of any unsolicited remote assistance on your digital device. Never let someone manipulate your computer, laptop, or phone through remote access.
A possible exception is technical support, but only if YOU place the call. Tech support teams often need remote access to provide legitimate support. After the call, update your security software and run a scan to detect potential threats.
4. Trust Amazon-Owned Channels
Use the Amazon website or mobile app to contact customer support or make changes to your account. Always go straight to the source. Never click on links or open attachments in email or text messages if you’re not familiar with the sender.
5. Be Wary of False Urgency
Scammers may create a sense of urgency to persuade you to take quick action. They don’t want you to do your research or think it through. Be wary if someone tries to convince you that you must act now.
Watch for Amazon Impersonators
During the holidays, you might see emails, texts, or web pages that impersonate Amazon. Suspicious communications raise important red flags you should not ignore. They usually contain one or more of the following:
- an order confirmation for goods you didn’t buy
- a request for your Amazon username or password
- a request for personal or payment information
- links to sites that look like Amazon but are not
- prompts to install software on your device
- typos or spelling and grammar errors
- email addresses that do not end with @amazon.com.
If you see any of these red flags, don’t click on a link or open an attachment. Instead, contact Amazon’s customer service to report the suspicious communication. It’s also a good idea to notify the Federal Trade Commission or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Wrapping It Up
Christmas parties, tree decorating, meal preparation, holiday shopping. The holiday season is a swirl of festivity and merriment. But it can be time consuming, energy sapping, and stressful.
Online shopping on Amazon saves you time, effort, and stress. But the huge volume of business, especially at Christmas, attracts scammers and thieves.
Don’t let criminals take advantage of your generous spirit. Follow these tips to beware of holiday scams. With a bit of awareness and a few precautions, holiday shopping can be merry and bright. ◻️
Related Posts
- 12 Ways to Protect Yourself From Common Holiday Scams
- 15 Ways to Stay Safe Online While You Travel or Vacation
- Public Wi-Fi Networks: 10 Tips for Safer Public Web Surfing
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. Do you shop on Amazon or other websites? What precautions do you take to avoid holiday scams?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a reply, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you like this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
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