Beware of the Amazon Prime Invalid Billing Payment Email Scam
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
Amazon Prime is one of the most popular membership programs, with over 200 million members worldwide. However, scammers are taking advantage of its popularity to trick users into sharing personal and financial information. This article will provide an in-depth overview of the Amazon Prime invalid billing payment scam, how it works, what to do if you are a victim, and how to stay safe.
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Overview of the Amazon Prime Invalid Billing Payment Scam
The Amazon Prime invalid billing payment scam starts with an email designed to look like it is from Amazon. The email will typically say that there is an issue with your Prime membership payment and that your membership will be canceled if you do not update your payment information.
The email is made to appear legitimate, often using Amazon branding and logos. However, upon closer inspection, there are usually signs it is fake, such as grammatical errors, threats of account suspension, or an urgent deadline.
If you click on any links or provide any personal information, scammers can use it to steal your financial or identity information. They may try to get you to download malware, enter credit card details on a fake site, or share passwords or other sensitive data.
This scam exploits fears of losing Prime membership benefits to trick users into handing over valuable personal data. Prime memberships can cost up to $139 per year in the United States, so the threat of cancellation motivates action.
The Amazon Prime invalid payment scam is quite common, with many variations reported. However, armed with the right information, you can identify and avoid this scam.
Prevalence of the Scam
The Amazon Prime billing scam is widespread, with victims reporting it across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries where Prime is available.
Thousands of complaints have been submitted to consumer protection agencies regarding this scam. The US Federal Trade Commission received over 60,000 complaints of Amazon imposter scams in 2021 alone, many related to fake Prime cancellation threats.
The scam’s ubiquity is enabled by the popularity of Prime itself. With over 200 million members globally, it has a massive target population across multiple countries. Cancellation of benefits is a real fear for many loyal Prime users.
Scammers also take advantage of Amazon’s impersonal email communication with customers. Most genuine Amazon emails do not address customers by name, making it easier to fake.
Warning Signs of the Scam Email
While scam emails may look convincing at first glance, there are usually warning signs upon closer inspection:
Grammatical/spelling errors – Amazon is a multi-billion dollar company with meticulous brand standards. Errors are a red flag.
Threats of account suspension – Genuine Amazon emails do not threaten immediate cancellation or suspension without prior notification.
Urgent deadline – Scam emails often demand immediate action “in the next 24 hours” or you will lose access. Amazon gives multiple notices before suspending accounts.
Requests for sensitive information – Amazon would never ask for financial information like credit card numbers or login credentials by email.
Incorrect customer information – Scam emails rarely address you by name and often have incorrect account numbers.
Unprofessional design – Email formatting may look sloppy or use incorrect images, fonts, or colors compared to official Amazon templates.
Odd sender address – While scammers spoof Amazon’s address, the reply-to address is usually not an @amazon.com account.
Carefully inspecting email content rather than relying on sender names or subject lines can help identify attempted scams.
Goals of the Scammers
The scammers behind Amazon Prime payment scams aim to:
Steal personal information – Obtain names, addresses, account numbers, passwords, and other details to support identity theft.
Steal financial information – Trick users into entering credit card numbers, bank account details, and other financial information to enable direct theft of funds.
Deploy malware – Links or attachments may install viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other malware to take control of devices and access sensitive local data.
Create Amazon accounts – Collect enough information to create a fake Amazon account for fraudulent purchases.
Resell account details – Usernames, passwords, and financial data may be sold on dark web markets to other criminals.
Generate ad revenue – Get users to click on affiliate links that generate payment for driving traffic.
By gathering personal information under the guise of an account problem, scammers can enable a wide range of secondary criminal activity.
Who is Most at Risk?
Some Amazon Prime members are more likely to be targeted by or fall victim to invalid payment scams:
Elderly customers – Senior citizens may be less familiar with identifying online scams and more worried about losing Prime benefits.
Anyone who recently updated payment info – Scammers may spoof the timing of the scam email around a recent real payment change.
International users – Those in countries with higher scam rates overall may be more frequently targeted.
Prime loyalists – Customers who utilize Prime Video, discounts, and other perks extensively are highly motivated to retain membership.
Amazon credit card holders – Loss of the Amazon credit card could have broader financial implications, increasing urgency.
Household account users – Shared family/household accounts mean more users seeing the scam who may respond.
Amazon Alexa owners – Integration with Amazon devices like Echo may raise perceived legitimacy of the scam threat.
Basically, anyone prizing their Prime membership access is at higher risk of falling for this scam tactic out of fear of disruption.
How the Amazon Prime Invalid Billing Payment Scam Works
Now that we have covered the overview and background, it’s important to understand exactly how this scam unfolds:
Step 1 – The Target Receives an Email
The scam starts with an email designed to look like an official notice from Amazon. The subject line often says something like:
“Your Prime membership could not be renewed”
“There was a problem with your Prime payment method”
“Update your Prime payment information now”
The “From” address is spoofed to appear as if it is from Amazon notifications @amazon.com, or Amazon support teams.
Email content incorporates Amazon logos and formatting to mimic a real message. Text warns the recipient that their next Prime renewal payment failed, and that they risk membership cancellation without immediate action.
A looming deadline is cited, typically 24-48 hours, before irrevocable termination of all benefits. This creates urgency and pressure to avoid disruption.
Step 2 – The Email Instructs Recipient to Act
The scam email provides instructions to fix the payment problem and keep Prime active. Two common ploys are:
Clicking on a link – The email includes a clickable link supposedly leading to account management or billing update page on Amazon.com. But it actually goes to a fake lookalike site controlled by scammers.
Opening an attachment – A document or instructions file is attached for the user to download, usually containing malware.
Both the link and attachment serve as the trap to compromise the victim’s system or trick them into revealing information.
Step 3 – User Provides Personal or Financial Information
Depending on the scam variation, one of several things may happen next:
Fake login page – User attempts to login to Amazon on a phishing site that captures account email/password credentials.
Credit card form – A fake billing page prompts entry of a credit card number, CVV code, and other details the scammers can steal.
Account information – Malware or forms trick the user into providing names, account numbers, addresses and other identity theft data.
Downloading malware – Clicking links or opening attachments causes malware infection tracking browsing, accessing local files, and capturing entered data.
The user is unknowingly giving the scammers exactly what they want rather than resolving any actual account issue.
Step 4 – Scammers Leverage Ill-Gotten Information and Access
With the duped user’s personal information successfully collected, scammers leverage it in various ways:
Drain bank accounts – Financial account data enables direct theft of funds via transfers or purchases.
Access existing accounts – Login credentials allow scammers to takeover the victim’s Amazon account and others sites.
Open new accounts – Names, addresses, and other details support new fraudulent account creation for criminal activity.
Resell info – Usernames, passwords, and financial data all have black market value and may be traded online.
Infect PCs – Installed malware persists to spy, extract more data, and infect networks.
The victim continues to be at risk of identity theft and financial fraud even after the initial scam is complete.
Step 5 – The Scam Spreads
Successful scams enable yet more scamming, spreading the scam in two key ways:
More phishing emails – Contact lists and emails from infected PCs are used to cast a wider phishing net and lure in more victims.
More infected PCs – Malware payloads captured from initial victims provide access to spread scammer viruses more widely.
Like many internet scams, the success of each fraud fuels greater resources to scam again at higher volumes. Billions of phishing emails are sent daily to net millions of pieces of valuable data.
What to do if You are the Victim of an Amazon Prime Invalid Payment Scam
If you have fallen prey to the Prime billing scam, here are important steps to take right away to secure your accounts and minimize damage:
Step 1 – Contact Amazon Directly
Call Amazon’s customer service line or contact them via live chat on their official website. Explain you believe you were scammed and provide order/account details. Amazon can help confirm if the communication was fake and start securing your account.
Step 2 – Reset Your Amazon Password
Even if you did not provide it to scammers, assume your Amazon credentials are compromised. Log in and change your password immediately to something random and unique. Turn on two-factor authentication for enhanced security.
Step 3 – Contact Your Bank
If you provided any financial account information like credit cards or checking accounts, notify your bank. Ask them to monitor for suspicious charges and issue you new numbers/cards as warranted to prevent misuse.
Step 4 – Scan Your Computer for Malware
If you clicked suspicious email links or downloaded attachments, your devices may be infected. Run a full antivirus scan and have tech support check for threats that could still compromise security.
Step 5 – Place Fraud Alerts on Your Credit
Contact the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to place fraud alerts on your credit file. This makes it harder for scammers to open unauthorized lines of credit in your name enabling early detection.
Step 6 – Reset Passwords on Other Accounts
Think about any other online accounts tied to the same username, email or password as your Amazon account. Reset all other account passwords as well to sever any potential access.
Step 7 – Monitor Your Credit Reports and Accounts
Check your credit reports regularly for any signs of fraudulent new accounts for the next year. Also watch financial statements closely for unknown charges related to leaked payment card data.
Step 8 – Report the Scam Attempt
Contact Amazon again, the FTC, and local law enforcement to report that you were targeted and provide details that may help investigations and warnings. The more who report scams, the better the chances of stopping them.
Move quickly on these steps to minimize fallout from providing scammers account access or personal information. And take it as a lesson to be even more wary of communications asking for sensitive data in the future.
How to Avoid Amazon Prime Cancellation Scams
While you can recover if scammed, it is obviously ideal to avoid becoming the victim of an Amazon Prime invalid payment scam in the first place. Here are some tips to recognize and avoid it:
Be Wary of Emails Warning Account Closure
Real Prime expirations provide multiple renewal notices over weeks before any cancellation, never an overnight threat if you don’t act immediately. Delete suspicious cancellation emails.
Do Not Click Links in Suspect Emails
Go directly to Amazon.com yourself to see if there are any real account issues. Don’t click embedded links claiming to lead to billing pages – these send you to phishing sites.
Check the Senders Email Address
Scammers fake the “From:” display name, but the reply-to address is often clearly not an Amazon domain on inspection. Non @amazon.com addresses are a red flag.
Look for Poor Spelling and Grammar
Amazon is a trillion dollar company with professional communications. Mistakes like misspelled words, bad grammar and sentence structure indicate a scam attempt.
Never Provide Sensitive Information by Email
Amazon will not send emails asking directly for personal identity information, passwords, credit cards and the like. Providing these by email enables theft.
Use Different Passwords For Each Account
Unique passwords prevent a compromised login from exposing other accounts. Consider a password manager app to track different strong passwords for every site.
Install Anti-Malware Software
Protect your computer and devices with comprehensive, updated antivirus and anti-malware tools to detect and block scam sites and infected email attachments or downloads.
Report Scam Attempts to Amazon
Use Amazon’s Report Phishing feature to notify them of scam emails so they can take action such as blocking senders and shutting down fake sites misusing their brand.
Staying vigilant against phishing emails only takes a few moments more per message, a small price for protecting your personal data and money. Don’t let a fear of losing your Prime perks panic you into a costly mistake.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Amazon Prime Invalid Billing Payment Scam
What is the Amazon Prime invalid billing payment scam?
This is a phishing scam where users receive an email claiming there is an issue with their Amazon Prime payment information, asking them to update their billing details to avoid membership cancellation. The email is fake and aims to steal user’s financial and account information.
How do I recognize the scam email?
Warning signs include grammatical errors, threats of immediate cancellation, incorrect customer details, and requests for sensitive information. Real Amazon emails do not ask for credit card numbers directly.
What happens if I click the link or provide information?
You may be sent to a fake website to steal Amazon login credentials or credit card information. Downloaded files could contain malware. Providing the scammers any personal data enables identity theft and account fraud.
Could my Amazon account really get cancelled suddenly?
No, Amazon always sends multiple renewal reminders first and gives customers time to update expired payment methods before considering cancellation.
Should I ever provide credit card info, passwords, or other sensitive data by email?
No! Amazon and other legitimate companies will never ask for your private account or financial information by email. Providing it to scammers enables them to steal your identity and money.
What should I do if I shared any private data with the scammers?
Contact Amazon immediately about unauthorized access. Reset your Amazon password. Monitor your credit and bank accounts closely for fraudulent activity and report any found.
How can I avoid falling for the Amazon Prime scam?
Review emails carefully for signs of phishing and never click links or provide info by email. Check the sender address for spoofing. Contact Amazon directly with any account concerns.
Who can I report the scam attempt to?
Inform Amazon, your bank, local law enforcement, credit bureaus, the FTC, and antiphishing groups so they can take action against scammers and warn others.
Are other Amazon customers at risk of scams?
Yes, scammers are targeting Prime users worldwide. Anybody with an Amazon account should be cautious of phishing attempts via email or fake websites. Understanding common scam tactics helps avoid becoming a victim.
Conclusion
The Amazon Prime invalid payment scam preys on loyal Prime subscribers’ fears of losing access to fast shipping, streaming media, discounts and other benefits. While emails may appear legitimate, inspecting them closely reveals signs of fraud.
If recipients click embedded links or provide sensitive information, scammers can steal identities, drain bank accounts, and compromise devices with malware. Recovery requires promptly contacting Amazon, banks, and credit bureaus while resetting account passwords.
Fortunately, this scam can be avoided by understanding the warning signs and using good email security practices. Being cautious when contacted about account issues, rather than acting in haste, keeps users and their data protected.
The popularity and cost of an Amazon Prime membership makes it a rewarding target for scammers. But armed with knowledge of their tactics, users can confidently delete scam cancellation notices without being fooled into enabling account takeovers or identity theft.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
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.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
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.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
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."
Install an 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.
Be careful what you download.
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.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
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.
Back up your data.
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.
Choose strong passwords.
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.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
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.
Meet Thomas Orsolya
Thomas is an expert at uncovering scams and providing in-depth reporting on cyber threats and online fraud. As an editor, he is dedicated to keeping readers informed on the latest developments in cybersecurity and tech.
