Hunting for deals this Amazon Prime Day? Here's how to protect yourself from scams
As Amazon shoppers get ready to take advantage of Prime Day deals, the company is warning shoppers to watch out for Amazon impersonation scams.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, Amazon the most impersonated business in 2021, with about 1 in 3 people reporting that a scammer pretended to be an Amazon representative. The scam cost consumers more than $27 million in losses.
"Impersonation scams today are complex and bad actors use many methods when attempting to scam consumers," said Scott Knapp, Amazon's director of worldwide buyer risk prevention. Scammers do their homework by identifying the areas that consumers are going to be most susceptible and operate a wide criminal network to execute different parts of the scam."
Amazon big deals: What to know about Amazon Prime Big Deal Days: The October 2023 sale is (almost) here
Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
How do I protect myself from Amazon scams?
Here is what the company wants consumers to watch out for:
If you've received a suspicious email or text message claiming to be from Amazon asking you to contact them or download software, do not directly reply to it. Instead, contact Amazon customer service directly through the app or website to verify if there is an issue with your purchase.
Fraudulent emails are phishing attempts for personal information. They can contain grammatical and spelling errors, and link you to websites other than Amazon.
If you are being asked to make an Amazon payment over phone or email, or a bank transfer on another website, it is most likely a scam. Amazon only asks for payments through their mobile app, website, or physical stores. Also, never pay for something you did not order.
Don’t be pressured into buying a gift card, as Amazon will never ask for one and no legitimate sale or transaction on Amazon will require a gift card.
Scammers will create a false sense of urgency to persuade you into making a payment. Don't fall for it.
Does Amazon notify you of suspicious activity?
According to Amazon, they occasionally send security alerts about important changes to your account, or if they notice new activity and need to confirm with you. While some departments make outbound calls, Amazon never asks shoppers to disclose or verify personal information to get an refund they didn't expect.
How do I report a scammer
See a suspicious Amazon scam? Here is where you can make a report:
Amazon − Whether you have fallen prey to a scam or see one that is concerning, you can report directly to Amazon.
Federal Trade Commission − The FTC is the government's arm focused on fraud protection, and consumers can file a report online.
State consumer protection office − You can find your state's consumer protection office here.
Lost money? You can also file a report locally with law enforcement.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amazon Prime Day scams: Here's what to watch for
