Beware Of Amazon Prime Day Scams And Phishing Attempts

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.

10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams

Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.

Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.

Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).

If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.

Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.

If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.

Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.

If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.

Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.

If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.

Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.

If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.

Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.

If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.

Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.

If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).

Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.

If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.

Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.

If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.

Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
- Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
- Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
- Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
- Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
- Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
- Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
- Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.

These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.

Beware of Amazon Prime Day Scams and Phishing Attempts