Amazon Scam

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Amazon Scam

To prevent this supposed problem, the message instructs customers to click a 'one time use' validation link, however the email warns the customer that the link is only active for 24 hours and if customers fail to 'make verification' within that time frame, their accounts will be disabled.

The email is not from Amazon and the claims are fake so the recipient does not need to click on the link. The message is a phishing scam designed to trick users into relinquishing their personal and financial data to Internet criminals.

The links in these scam messages typically lead to a fake webpage designed to look like a genuine Amazon page. The fake page asks users to provide their Amazon account login details as part of the verification process. After 'logging in' on the fake site, users may be taken to a second page that asks for their credit card details and other personal and financial information. If they supply the requested information, users may then receive a message claiming that their validation has been successful.

The scammers have now collected the information submitted on the fake forms and can use it to hijack Amazon accounts and commit credit card fraud.

A big warning sign in the email is the poor spelling and grammar. Amazon carries out most of its business online, so it is regularly targeted by phishing scammers.

If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam you should promptly report it to the IC3's website at www.IC3.gov. The IC3's complaint database links complaints together to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement agency for case consideration.

Remember - always watch for scams!

Steve