Beware of Amazon Prime Day Scams and Phishing Attempts

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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With Amazon Prime Day having just passed, consumers should remain vigilant regarding post-Prime Day scams aiming to take advantage of deal-seeking shoppers. Scammers send out phony texts and emails redirecting victims to fraudulent websites to steal personal information and money. This article will uncover common Amazon Prime Day scams to watch out for.

Scam Phone Calls

Understanding Post-Prime Day Scams

In the wake of huge shopping holidays like Amazon Prime Day, scammers take the opportunity to create new phishing attempts capitalizing on consumer anticipation.

They send out mass texts and emails pretending to offer exclusive post-Prime Day bargains, coupons, and contests to entice engagement. However, the links actually redirect to fake websites impersonating Amazon.

These scam websites then steal users’ Amazon login credentials if entered, or harvest personal and financial data under the guise of contests, surveys, or too-good-to-be-true deals. The scammers can then use the stolen info for identity theft and other frauds.

Phony Text Messages

One prevalent post-Prime Day scam involves phony text messages that state things like:

“Hi Josh. You’ve been selected for our annual Amazon Prime members survey regarding your recent Prime Day purchases. Please click here to begin the survey: [Malicious Link]”

“Amazon Exclusive! You have unclaimed Prime packages waiting! Please confirm delivery preferences here: [Malicious Link]”

However, the links in these texts redirect to fake Amazon contest or survey pages that phish for personal information or install malware. Amazon never sends unsolicited texts regarding account issues or prizes. Any such messages should be considered fraudulent phishing attempts.

Fake Amazon Emails

Another common Prime Day scam tactic is forged Amazon emails claiming you have unclaimed credits from Amazon Prime Day purchases or saying you qualified for an exclusive post-Prime Day deal.

Some examples include:

“Greetings Amy. Our records indicate you have $53.61 in unclaimed Amazon credits from your Prime Day orders. Please submit your banking information here to redeem your credit: [Malicious Link]”

“Congratulations Margaret! You’ve been selected for our Prime members 90% off post-Prime Day blowout sale. Act now before this exclusive offer expires! [Malicious Link]”

However, the claim of unspent credits is false, and the special sale doesn’t exist. The links lead to phishing sites aiming to steal account credentials or payment information from victims. Amazon sends account notices through your account portal or app only.

Red Flags of Amazon Scams

Here are some red flags to help identify fraudulent post-Prime Day Amazon scams:

  • You receive unsolicited texts, calls, or emails regarding surveys, unclaimed credits, or special deals. Amazon contacts existing customers through their account instead.
  • The messages create a false sense of urgency or exclusivity to get you to act quickly. Limited time offers can be a scam tactic.
  • The links go to odd URLs not affiliated with or redirecting to Amazon’s real website, like “amazon-customerservice.com.”
  • The messages come from random phone numbers or email addresses not tied to official Amazon contacts.
  • Spelling, grammar, or formatting seems off compared to professional Amazon communications.
  • Requests come for you to enter credit card or other sensitive information to claim supposed offers or credits.

Being wary of any too-good-to-be-true offers requiring quick action protects you from post-Prime Day phishing scams aiming to take advantage of deal-seeking shoppers.

How to Report Amazon Scams

If you receive a suspicious text, email, or call pretending to be from Amazon, report it:

  • Forward scam emails to stop-spoofing@amazon.com and then delete it without opening any links.
  • Report scam phone numbers to Amazon customer service so they can be blocked.
  • File complaints about scam texts with the FTC and your cell phone carrier.
  • Warn others about current Amazon phishing attempts on social media and forums.

The more scam messages that get identified and shut down, the more protected other shoppers will be.

Avoiding Post-Prime Day Scams

Here are some tips for avoiding Prime Day and online shopping scams:

  • Never click links in unsolicited texts/emails. Manually open Amazon in your browser if you want to check account notices.
  • Verify special offers or sales independently before believing questionable texts or emails.
  • Check sender addresses and links carefully for any deviations from Amazon’s real website.
  • Do not enter personal or payment information on unfamiliar third-party websites.
  • If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to Amazon’s real website for purchases.
  • Use unique complex passwords for all shopping accounts. Enable two-factor authentication for added security.

Staying vigilant against phishing attempts can keep you safe from scammers hoping to capitalize on the high volumes of shoppers around holidays like Amazon Prime Day.

What to Do If You Already Clicked a Suspicious Link

If you already clicked a link in a questionable Amazon-themed text or email, take these steps right away:

  • Log in to your real Amazon account and closely review your recent orders, payment methods, and account settings for any signs of unauthorized changes.
  • Change your Amazon password immediately and enable two-factor authentication if available.
  • Contact Amazon customer support to report the phishing attempt against your account.
  • Watch for suspicious charges to your payment methods on file with Amazon. Report any unknown transactions to your bank or credit card company.
  • Run a Malwarebytes Free scan to check if clicking the link downloaded any malware onto your device.

Conclusion

In summary, consumers should watch out for shady texts, calls, and emails impersonating Amazon in the wake of major shopping days. Scammers create sophisticated post-Prime Day phishing scams to steal account credentials and sensitive information from eager deal seekers. Verify legitimacy directly through your Amazon account rather than trusting unsolicited messages. With caution, you can identify fraudulent offers and protect your personal information from shopping scams.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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