That’s because, during promotional events like this, there is often a rise in phishing scams that try to replicate communication from the retailer about a customer’s account.
But, you can shop in peace thanks to a few tips courtesy of payment solutions company Takepayments.
There are four typical signs to look out for when you’re shopping online looking for an Amazon bargain on 8 and 9 October.
1. Fake emails and websites
When it comes to communication proposing to be from Amazon or another big company, check the email address or phone number it comes from.
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If you can see a mix of random numbers or letters in the address, then you’ll know it is not legitimate.
Also, if you’ve been sent a link to a counterfeit website, the chances are that it will not ask for two-factor authentication on purchasing the item.
You will mostly see 3D Secure Authentication when you shop online, and retailers that have this will display a Visa Secure, MasterCard SecureCode or American Express Safe Key logo.
2. Request for personal information
If you receive an email or text saying there is an issue with your account – be cautious. This is often a tactic for scammers to glean personal data from you, so the best bet is to log in through the official method, and if in doubt, contact the retailer’s customer service helpline.
3. Spelling and grammar
A scammer might not spell-check or read back their communication at the same level an online retailer would, so double-check for any errors if you receive a text purporting to be from Amazon.
There are often grammatical or spelling mistakes, so if there are, that should tell you the message is part of a scam.
4. Suspicious number contacted you?
If you receive ‘official’ communication from a mobile number, it is likely that it is a fraudulent call attempt/text. You can be sure if the number begins with ‘07’ that the caller is attempting a scam.
Try to take a moment and use a phone number look-up service online to double-check.
Now you know the signs to look out for, here are the tips on how to avoid getting scammed in this way.
Three tips to avoid being scammed:
- Never complete payment outside of the official Amazon website, as Amazon will only ever ask for payment via its official website.
- Do not disclose personal details by any other channels of communication – Amazon only asks for personal data in the member account section of its official website.
- Never follow any suspicious links in suspicious emails or texts. Scammers can create fraudulent websites with an uncanny likeness to the official Amazon website, which they will try to direct victims to. If unsure whether you’re on the legitimate Amazon website, close your browser window and visit the website directly.
‘Shoppers should be on high alert’
Scams blighted Amazon shoppers during the busy Christmas period last year, and John Clark, product manager at Takepayments, says shoppers “should be on high alert” for emails saying they are not eligible for the Amazon Prime Day event.
Clark said: “Unfortunately, phishing scams spike in popularity around high-profile promotional events, like Amazon Prime Day.
“Common fraudulent emails [that] claim to be from e-commerce retail giant Amazon often focus on the status of a customer’s Prime Membership or a warning that an account is at risk of suspension or closure. The emails will often urge consumers to click a link to deal with the issue.”
Clark added: “Prime membership scams are essentially phishing texts or emails claiming that Amazon Prime account holders must pay or provide payment information to reinstate their membership.
“These phishing communications are also used to scare Prime members into thinking that their account will be suspended or deleted – and to prevent it from happening, they must follow a fraudulent link that lures them into giving away their money.”
