personal finance : Your Money Personal Finance : Your Money: what you need to know about the latest Amazon impostor scams

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

what you need to know about the latest Amazon impostor scams

amazon scams

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Common Types of Scams

1.  Fake Orders or Deliveries : Victims receive messages claiming there’s an issue with their shipment, often prompting them to pay a fee or provide sensitive information. These messages may include links that can download malware or lead to phishing sites .


2.  Suspicious Purchases : Scammers may call to confirm a large purchase that the victim did not make, creating panic and urgency. This tactic exploits the victim's fear of identity theft, leading them to divulge personal information or make payments to “resolve” the issue .


3.  Multi-layered Scams : Some scams involve multiple impersonators, where a victim is transferred from a fake Amazon representative to someone posing as a bank or law enforcement official. This complex approach can lead to significant financial losses, as seen in various victim accounts .


 Impact and Statistics

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that impersonation scams, including those involving Amazon, have surged, with over 850,000 complaints in 2023 resulting in losses exceeding $2.7 billion. Amazon-related scams alone accounted for 34,000 complaints, leading to $19 million in theft . more


 Prevention Tips

-  Verify Communications : Always verify the source of any communication claiming to be from Amazon. Use official channels to check your account status.

  

-  Avoid Clicking Links : Do not click on links in unsolicited messages or emails. Instead, go directly to the Amazon website to check for any alerts or messages.


-  Be Skeptical of Urgency : Scammers often create a false sense of urgency. Take time to assess the situation before taking action.


-  Report Scams : If you encounter a scam, report it to the FTC and Amazon to help combat these fraudulent activities . more