The $750 Amazon Gift Card Scam: What You Need to Know
Written by: Thomas Orsolya
Published on:
A worrying new scam involving fake $750 Amazon gift cards has been targeting social media users and spreading through SMS spam. This detailed guide will uncover everything you need to know about how the Amazon gift card scam works, what to do if you’ve fallen victim, and most importantly, how to protect yourself from this brazen fraud.
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Scam Overview: How Criminals Are Impersonating Amazon to Steal Money and Personal Data
Scammers are using carefully crafted social media ads and SMS spam messages to lure unsuspecting users into providing their personal information under the false pretense of receiving a lucrative $750 Amazon gift card.
The scam works like this:
Scam ads and messages typically appear on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. They’ll often use Amazon branding and claim the user has been selected to receive a $750 gift card.
If the user clicks on the link, they are redirected to a fake website impersonating Amazon. The scam site will have a similar look and feel to the real Amazon site in order to appear legitimate.
The fraudulent site prompts the user to complete a series of surveys, download malware-infected apps, sign up for free trials of products, or share personal information to allegedly receive the $750 gift card.
In reality, no gift card exists. The scammers are simply trying to harvest personal data for identity theft purposes, install malware on devices, or sign victims up for services they don’t want.
This highly deceptive scam has already affected thousands of users around the world, causing many to hand over sensitive information or download dangerous files onto their devices.
By impersonating Amazon and using their reputation to deceive users, these fraudsters gain the trust element needed to trick unsuspecting people. It is a prime example of how fraud tactics evolve over time to maximize success.
How the $750 Amazon Gift Card Scam Actually Works Step-by-Step
To fully protect yourself, it’s critical to understand the elaborate methods scammers use in this Amazon gift card scam. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of exactly how the fraud works:
Step 1 – Scam Ads and Messages Go Viral Across Social Media
The scammers begin by posting scam ads and messages on popular social networks and messaging apps. Platforms frequently targeted include:
Facebook
Instagram
WhatsApp
Telegram
TikTok
Text messages/SMS
The scam content often claims the user has been specially selected to receive a $750 Amazon gift card for free. Some examples read:
“Congrats Amazon user! You’ve been selected to take part in a brief survey about your shopping habits and receive a $750 Amazon gift card!”
“Click below now to claim your $750 Amazon gift card! Limited time offer for chosen Amazon customers.”
“Amazon awards! We are giving away $750 gift cards to a few lucky users. Check if you have won!”
The messages use Amazon branding, such as their logo, name, and gift card imagery, to appear credible. Links in the ads and posts redirect to outside websites.
Step 2 – Users Are Led to Fake Websites Pretending to be Amazon
When users click on the links in the scam ads or messages, they are redirected away from social media to external websites. These fraudulent sites are carefully designed to mimic the real Amazon site, often using an extremely similar layout and web address.
For example, instead of “amazon.com”, it may use a deceiving domain along the lines of “amazon-rewards.com”. Some signs it’s a scam site:
The URL is not the official Amazon domain
Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and other typos
Asks for personal info like bank account details
Images may be slightly blurry or pixelated
The fake sites are well-made enough to convince many users they are on the legitimate Amazon website. This tricks them into believing the offer is real.
Step 3 – Users Are Prompted to Complete Tasks and Input Personal Information
Once on the fraudulent website, users are prompted to complete a range of tasks and input personal information to allegedly claim their $750 gift card. Typical requests include:
Filling out surveys about shopping habits
Downloading and installing mobile apps
Signing up for free trials of products or services
Entering personal info like full name, date of birth, address
Providing bank account or payment details
Submitting a government ID scan
The scammers pose as Amazon, claiming these tasks are a necessary verification process for handing out the gift cards. In reality, they are simply trying to harvest data and take advantage of users.
Step 4 – No Gift Card is Provided, But the Damage is Already Done
After submitting personal information and completing scam tasks, victims eventually realize they are not getting an Amazon gift card. The whole thing is an elaborate ruse designed to trick users while keeping them on the hook as long as possible.
But by this point, it’s too late – the scammers have already gained access to their data. Consequences can include:
Identity theft – Full name, birthdate, address are stolen. This can allow criminals to open bank accounts and credit cards in the victim’s name.
Account compromise – Banking details obtained can give scammers access to your accounts and funds.
Email/password access – Email addresses and passwords provided can be used to access your other online accounts.
Malware downloads – Fake apps downloaded infect devices with data-stealing malware, spyware, and viruses.
Unwanted charges – Signing up for free trials and offers will convert into monthly charges from shady third parties.
The scammers profit off this stolen data and unwarranted charges, while victims are left to deal with the aftermath.
How to Spot This Scam on Social Media and Fraudulent Websites
The $750 Amazon gift card scam relies on impersonation and deception to trick users. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
Suspicious Social Media Ads and Posts
Ads or posts promising free Amazon gift cards, especially for high values like $750.
Messages claiming you were specially “selected” to receive a gift card or participate in a contest you didn’t enter.
Posts using official Amazon logos and gift card graphics without being posted from Amazon’s actual social media accounts.
Links in the posts sending you to unrelated outside websites instead of Amazon.com.
Scam Website URL Warning Signs
Fake scam pages imitating Amazon often use deceptive website addresses. Watch for:
Misspelled or altered Amazon domain names like “amazon-win.com”.
URLs containing “amazon” but from completely unrelated sites.
Non-secure HTTP links instead of HTTPS protected sites.
Domains registered very recently instead of long-standing sites.
Suspicious Behaviors and Requests
Other red flags include sites that:
Ask you to complete questionable surveys before receiving the gift card.
Make you download apps from outside sources or app stores.
Require excessive personal information beyond just a name and email.
Request financial information like bank account and credit card numbers.
Use poor grammar, typos, spacing errors and other mistakes.
Feature blurry, low-res images or generally unprofessional design.
Stay vigilant for these signs across social media ads and scam websites. If anything seems suspicious, avoid engaging and steer clear. Only enter your information on amazon.com directly to stay secure.
What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim to the $750 Amazon Gift Card Scam
If you suspect you have fallen prey to the fake $750 Amazon gift card scam, here are the key steps to take right away:
1. Contact your bank and card providers immediately.
If you entered any financial information, call your bank and credit/debit card companies. Report what happened and request that they monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity. Ask to cancel any cards that may have been compromised.
2. Place a fraud alert and consider freezing your credit.
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion or Equifax – to place an initial 90 day fraud alert. Also consider freezing your credit with each bureau to lock down your credit reports and prevent scammers from opening new accounts in your name.
3. Reset all account passwords and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
If you provided any usernames, passwords or other account access, change your credentials across every account that could be impacted. Enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security on accounts like email, social media and financial services.
4. Scan all devices with antivirus software and update apps/operating systems.
Download and perform full scans using trusted antivirus software like Norton, McAfee or BitDefender to remove any malware, spyware or viruses. Also make sure to update your devices’ apps, operating systems and security patches.
5. Watch for any suspicious activity in all accounts.
Carefully monitor bank and credit card statements, credit reports, online accounts and health insurance records for any transactions or activity you don’t recognize. Report anything suspicious to the relevant providers.
6. Submit a complaint with the FTC and your local authorities.
File a scam report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local police department so these authorities can investigate the criminals behind it.
7. Warn friends and family about the scam.
Let your friends and family know how the Amazon gift card scam works so they can avoid it. Share this article and spread awareness about this fraud on your own social media channels.
By taking these steps, you can limit the damage inflicted by this scam and prevent further misuse of your information. But it’s critical to act fast once you realize you’ve been targeted. The longer criminals have access to your data, the higher the risk of identity theft and account abuse.
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.
The Bottom Line: Protecting Yourself from the Fake $750 Amazon Gift Card Scam
Avoiding this brazen scam comes down to spotting and stopping it before any damage is done. Use these proactive tips to keep yourself and your information safe:
Verify offers carefully – Scrutinize social media posts, texts and emails offering free gift cards. Confirm messages actually come from official Amazon channels.
Analyze links closely – Inspect URLs to ensure they go to amazon.com directly, not copycat sites. Use URL preview tools if unsure.
Never enter personal information on third-party websites or in response to social media offers. Amazon does not need your data to provide gift cards.
Do not download files from unfamiliar sites or ads. They may contain malware or viruses. Only use the official Amazon app from your device’s app store.
Avoid “limited time” offers designed to pressure you into acting irrationally. Take time to assess legitimacy before providing info.
Secure your accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Make it harder for scammers to access your data.
Monitor accounts closely and review statements for any unauthorized activity. Report suspicious transactions immediately.
Ultimately, critically evaluating any gift card offers and treating them with skepticism is key. If an opportunity seems questionable, it’s best to simply avoid engaging altogether.
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.
