Warning over fake Amazon email scam that lets fraudsters steal your login details
The warning by Action Fraud comes after it received 115 reports about Amazon-related phishing emails in February
AMAZON customers are once again being warned about an email scam that lets fraudsters steal your login details.
The warning by the UK's national fraud and cyber reporting centre Action Fraud comes after it received 115 reports about Amazon-related phishing emails in February so far.
The email, which looks like it’s genuinely from Amazon, tricks customers into thinking there is a problem processing their order or asks them to log in to change details on their account.
It then asks you to click on a link and confirm your account details, but this actually gives fraudsters access to your personal data.
Action Fraud warned about the scam on Twitter, commenting: "The links in the emails lead to genuine-looking phishing websites that are designed to steal Amazon login credentials.
"Don't click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails, and never respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details."
An Amazon spokesperson told The Sun: "These can look similar to real Amazon emails but often direct the recipient to a false website where they might be asked to provide account information such as their email address and password combination.
"The best way to ensure that you do not respond to a false or phishing e-mail is to always go directly to your account on Amazon to review or make any changes to your orders or your account.
"Customers can access their account by visiting Amazon.co.uk and clicking on the "Your account" link in the top right hand corner of any page.
"We would ask any customer who believes that they have received a false or phishing email to alert us via our stop-spoofing@amazon.com e-mail address.
How to spot a fake email or message
IF you've received an email or text message claiming to be from your bank or a retailer, then these are the things you should look out for:
- Your bank or the retailer will always address a customer by name
- They will never ask a customer for their PIN, password or full memorable information
- The bank would never ask a customer to click on a link in an email or text message that takes you to a page which asks you for your username, password or any other information
- They would never ask a customer to email or text them PINs, card details or passwords
- Customers should not click on any links in emails if they have concerns
- Customers are encouraged to call their bank if they have any concerns about an email they have received
Email scams at Amazon are unfortunately nothing new. The Sun first reported on the scam in November in 2016.
Then in January and March 2017 customers lost £750 and £610 each in similar scams.
And last year, Amazon shoppers were once again warned about the scam after an elderly couple lost almost £200 and struggled to get a refund from Amazon or their bank.
More on money
Earlier this month, Action Fraud warned Brits about booking cheap flight tickets that don't exist in new holiday scam.
The Sun also revealed how one man lost £15k life savings to dating scammer who pretended to be an old friend.
And in the end of last year, Netflix users were once again warned not to fall for fake emails asking customers to update their payment details.
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