Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email [Explained]

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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Scammers are constantly devising new ways to trick unsuspecting individuals into divulging their personal information or falling victim to financial fraud. One prevalent scam that has gained traction in recent years is the Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this scam, including what it is, how it works, what to do if you have fallen victim, technical details, and relevant statistics.

Scams

What is the Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email?

The Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email is a fraudulent email that appears to be sent by Amazon, a popular online marketplace. The email typically informs the recipient that they have made a purchase on Amazon and that their credit card has been charged for an Amazon gift card. The email includes a link or attachment that the recipient is instructed to click on to cancel the purchase or dispute the charge.

However, the email is not actually from Amazon, and the purchase and charge mentioned in the email are entirely fabricated. The scammers behind this phishing scam aim to trick recipients into clicking on the link or opening the attachment, which often leads to malware installation or prompts the victim to enter their personal and financial information on a fake website designed to resemble Amazon’s official site.

How Does the Scam Work?

The Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email works by exploiting the trust and familiarity individuals have with Amazon. The scammers carefully craft the email to appear legitimate, using Amazon’s logo, branding, and email format. They may even include personal details, such as the recipient’s name or address, to make the email seem more convincing.

Once the recipient clicks on the link or opens the attachment, they are directed to a fake website that closely resembles Amazon’s official site. This website prompts the victim to enter their Amazon account credentials, credit card information, or other sensitive details. Alternatively, the link or attachment may install malware on the victim’s device, allowing the scammers to gain unauthorized access to their personal information.

Example:

Subject: Your Amazon Gift Card Purchase Confirmation

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

We are writing to inform you that your Amazon account has been charged for the purchase of a $100 Amazon gift card. If you did not authorize this purchase, please click on the link below to cancel the transaction and dispute the charge.

[Link to a fake website]

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our customer support team.

Thank you for choosing Amazon.

Sincerely,

The Amazon Team

What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim?

If you have fallen victim to the Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect your personal and financial information. Here are the steps you should follow:

  1. Disconnect from the internet: Unplug your device from the network or disable your Wi-Fi to prevent further communication between the scammer and your device.
  2. Scan for malware: Run a thorough scan of your device using reputable antivirus software, such as Malwarebytes Free, to detect and remove any malware that may have been installed.
  3. Change your passwords: Immediately change the passwords for your Amazon account, email accounts, and any other accounts that may have been compromised. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
  4. Contact your bank or credit card company: Inform your bank or credit card company about the fraudulent charge and follow their instructions to dispute the transaction and protect your financial accounts.
  5. Report the scam: Report the phishing scam to Amazon by forwarding the fraudulent email to stop-spoofing@amazon.com. You can also report the scam to your local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Technical Details of the Scam

The Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email utilizes various techniques to deceive recipients and carry out its fraudulent activities. Here are some technical details of the scam:

  • Spoofed email addresses: The scammers often use email addresses that appear to be from Amazon, but upon closer inspection, they are slightly altered or completely unrelated to Amazon’s official domain.
  • Malware distribution: Clicking on the link or opening the attachment in the email may lead to the installation of malware, such as keyloggers or remote access trojans (RATs), which allow the scammers to monitor the victim’s activities or gain unauthorized access to their device.
  • Phishing websites: The fake websites used in this scam are designed to closely resemble Amazon’s official site, including similar layouts, logos, and color schemes. However, the URLs of these websites often contain slight variations or additional subdomains.

Statistics on Phishing Scams

Phishing scams, including the Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email, continue to be a significant threat to individuals and organizations worldwide. Here are some statistics that highlight the prevalence and impact of phishing scams:

  • In 2020, the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) reported a total of 241,324 unique phishing attacks worldwide.
  • According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), phishing scams resulted in over $54 million in financial losses in 2020.
  • A study conducted by Verizon found that 22% of data breaches in 2020 involved phishing attacks.
  • Phishing attacks targeting individuals increased by 220% in 2020, according to the 2021 Phishing Activity Trends Report by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).

Summary

The Amazon Gift Card Purchase Phishing Scam Email is a deceptive scheme that aims to trick individuals into divulging their personal and financial information or installing malware on their devices. By understanding how this scam works and taking appropriate precautions, such as scanning for malware and changing passwords, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to this and other phishing scams. It is crucial to remain vigilant

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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