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Amazon is a convenient, widely used service that offers fast shipping and a variety of products. Unfortunately, because of its broad audience, criminals utilize Amazon and its likeness in scams and phishing attacks.
If you know what to watch for and how to report suspicious activity related to your Amazon account, you can better protect yourself and your personal information.
How to identify if an email, call, or text is from Amazon?
It’s common for hackers to create texts and emails that look like they are from Amazon. These phishing tactics are designed to get you to click on a message that takes you to an illegitimate link or website. If you receive an email or text from Amazon that seems suspicious, here are a few warning signs to watch for:
Website links: If a message contains a link to Amazon, the URL will always be amazon.com. Carefully read website links to ensure they say amazon.com and not something else.
Forged email addresses: A phishing email often uses Amazon’s logo and branding, but the sender’s address won’t end in “@amazon.com.” Check the sender’s address carefully before clicking on anything.
Fake items: Phishing messages may contain order confirmations for items you never bought. If you receive a notification like this, it’s probably a scam.
Requests for personal information: Amazon won’t email you asking for personal information like your credit card number, Social Security number, or Amazon account credentials. If a message asks you for this information, report it immediately.
Software installation: Phishing scams may try to get you to install software. If you do, malicious users may be able to access your personal information.
Grammatical errors: If the email or message contains many grammatical errors and typos, it may be fake. Be wary of messages that don’t have complete sentences or are riddled with errors.
How to protect yourself from Amazon phishing fraud
Thankfully, there are many ways to protect yourself from phishing attempts and Amazon scams. Here are a few ways you can keep your information safe:
Create a strong password: Use a strong, unique password for your Amazon account, and don’t reuse the same password for different websites. To help keep track of your passwords, you can use a password manager that generates and stores this information.
Don’t give out personal information: Amazon will never email you asking to verify sensitive personal information, so never share this over email or text messages.
Know what to look for: Remember the classic signs of scams, such as forged email addresses and prompts asking you to download software. If an email, phone call, or text seems suspicious, it probably is. Don’t engage with potential scam messages by clicking on suspicious links; don’t provide personal information to a caller you don’t know. Instead, report the suspicious activity right away.
Update antivirus software: If you have antivirus software, update it regularly. This software helps keep your devices and accounts secure.
Invest in a personal protection plan: Invest in a protection plan for yourself. At F-Secure, our Total security solution offers device security, scam protection, privacy, and identity protection wherever you are. https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
How to report suspected Amazon scams
To submit Amazon fraud reporting, you can submit a report directly through their website. You can also forward suspicious emails to stop-spoofing@amazon.com.
In addition, you can also report suspicious phone calls and text messages to Federal Trade Commission. Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov and follow the instructions to submit your claim.
Conclusion
Although Amazon scams can be sophisticated, there are many ways you can protect yourself. You can keep your information safe if you know what signs to look for and how to report phishing scams.
If you’re looking to invest in a personal protection plan, F-Secure can help. F-Secure makes it easy to protect your digital information, including your identity and finances. Our Total solution monitors threats and blocks risky activity before it can get to you. And, if your data is ever threatened, we have 24/7 expert assistance ready to support you.
Want to learn more about how F-Secure Total can protect your information? Explore the benefits of our all-in-one solution today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you get scammed on Amazon?
If you get scammed on Amazon, submit a report directly through their customer service.
Can someone hack my bank account with my email address?
It is very unlikely that hackers can access your bank account if they get into your email. However, email hacking is very serious, and you should contact security experts immediately to get help if your email is hacked.
Can you get scammed by a seller on Amazon?
There are malicious sellers on Amazon that may try to scam you. Don’t send payment information to a seller if you think it’s a scam. If a seller directs you off the Amazon website to make a purchase using a different payment method, report the interaction immediately.
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