Five Amazon Scams You Need To Know

Amazon reaches shoppers with a huge scope of products and options. It is one of the most popular online marketplaces today. It is a convenient, fast service that brings any product to your doorstep, but beware of Amazon scams! Let’s highlight five scams you need to know about if you plan to buy products on Amazon.

Update Your Order

For example, one possible scam you could encounter happens after you have placed an order online. After you have submitted you order and are waiting for your purchase you may receive a phone call, email, or text message informing you that there is an issue with your order or with your account.

In this message, it says you need to provide additional information or update your information before you will be able to receive your product. The information you may be asked to provide could be your payment information, name, or other personally identifying information.

Don’t Get Scammed: Before clicking on any links in the message, or re-entering your personal information, go to the source! Sign on to your amazon account online and see if it prompts you to provide additional information when you click on your order. If it doesn’t ask you anything, the message you received is most likely from a scammer and should be deleted.

Owed A Refund

In this scam, you will also receive a message, whether that be over text, email, or a phone call. The person on the other end of the message will tell you that you have been overcharged for a recent purchase you made on Amazon and are owned a refund. Most likely, they will provide a phone number or email address to use in order to get your refund.

If you are to call, or respond to the message, an alleged Amazon representative will ask you to provide them with access to your computer so that they can get you the refund. While doing this, the scammer will also gain direct access to your computer, financial accounts, and more.

Don’t Get Scammed: Any information or notification that Amazon sends you will be available on the companies website or once you access your Amazon account. Always login to your secure account to verify any notifications or refunds. Learn the details of what an Amazon scam looks like.

Off-Platform Payments

If you are ever asked to pay for an Amazon product outside of the Amazon site, it is probably a scammer. After you find the perfect product, you may try to complete your payment and are asked to follow a link. This link could take you to Venmo, Zelle, or any type of payment platform other then Amazon.

By purchasing a product outside of Amazon, you lose the purchase protection that Amazon provides, meaning you can not cancel or get a refund in the future. Normally. you will then be send a faulty product or never get the product you purchased.

Don’t Get Scammed: Real Amazon sellers will never ask for payment outside the actual Amazon site.

Amazon Prime Video Scams

Another scam to watch out for involves setting up Amazon Prime Video on your SmartTV. As you try to find the website to assist you, you may be bombarded with pop-up ads tell you to “Click here to Set up Prime on TV” or other keywords that give you what you want to hear.

If you click on one of these ads, it will take you to a fake website. While this website make look identical to the actual website. You will then be asked to enter a six-digit code on your TV, and call the phone number that the site provides.

Once you call the number, you will be asked to provide the six-digit code or a code that is send to your phone to provide you with two-factor authentication. Sadly, if you give the scammer both of these codes, they are also given access to your Amazon account and all information contained in it.

Don’t Get Scammed: Never share passcodes, passwords, or login information over the phone. Those codes are for you, and only you. If you need help setting up Amazon Prime Video, visit Amazons site and view their instructions.

Also be aware that Amazon website all follow a similar URL pattern. For example, a few official Amazon sites are:

• pay.amazon.com
• aws.amazon.com
• amazon.com

Some phony or fake site may contain the word “Amazon” but they will not follow this pattern of adding a period before “Amazon.”

Mystery Boxes, Prizes, & Low Deals

Another popular Amazon scam is when a scammer tries to catch you by offering something that sounds too good to miss. Usually, this also means it is too good to be true. One way a scammer may do this is by offering customers a “mystery box” that is sold on Amazon, or offering a deal that is so low they are practically giving it away.

No matter what form this scam takes, you may receive a message from an alleged Amazon representative or employee claiming that you have won a prize. You may also receive a message promoting a mystery box sale or a once-in-a-lifetime deal.

You’ll be directed to click a link or call a number to receive your prize. Doing so will result in a scammer asking for your personal information or bank account information. This may also give then the opportunity to download viruses on your computer.

Don’t Get Scammed: Always stay on the Amazon site when shopping, and be weary or clicking on links that take you to external sites. Keep in mind that if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.

Watch out for Amazon scams and other online scams. Follow the tips mentioned to enjoy shopping on the world’s largest marketplace without compromising on your safety.

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This article is for educational purposes only. WeStreet Credit Union makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or specific suitability of any information presented. Information provided should not be relied on or interpreted as legal, tax or financial advice. Nor does the information directly relate to our products and/or services terms and conditions.