Amazon issues warning to Prime users over cyber scams

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

Amazon is alerting its 200 million Prime members to a sharp rise in cyber scams just weeks before its biggest-ever Prime Day event, set to begin July 8. The online retail giant says fraudsters are ramping up efforts to steal customer accounts and payment details. Amazon found that impersonation scams spiked by 80 percent during Prime Day in 2024, and similar schemes are already underway this year.
The most common tactics involve fake emails and text messages designed to look like official Amazon communications, often containing malicious links or requests for personal information. Cybercriminals are seizing on the hype and urgency surrounding the four-day sales event to lure unsuspecting shoppers. With global sales expected to break records, shoppers are urged to be cautious, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report any suspicious messages to Amazon.
'Independent sellers sold more than 200 million items during Prime Day,' Amazon said in a statement. 'Prime members in the US chose to consolidate their deliveries on millions of orders, saving an estimated 10 million trips.' This year's Prime Day event will run in 26 countries, including the US, UK, India, and Canada. Ireland and Colombia are joining the list for the first time.
To counter these attacks, Amazon said it removed more than 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 fraudulent phone numbers last year. Scammers rely on urgency and fear, often warning users their account will be locked or charged unless they act immediately. Victims are frequently asked to verify account details or resolve fake issues by providing gift card numbers, passwords, or one-time passcodes, methods Amazon states it never uses.
In November, the company found that 94 percent of global impersonation scams came through email, text messages, or phone calls. Two-thirds of those scams focused on fake account issues. To verify if a text message is truly from Amazon, go to the Message Center under 'Your Account.' Only legitimate communications from Amazon will appear there.
Moreover, before clicking on email attachments, review the sender's address. Legitimate Amazon emails will come from an '@amazon.com' address. Check the 'From' name in your email to see the full sender address and check for misspellings or suspicious characters.
In March, the company tweeted on X that impersonation scams on social media have jumped 33 percent since December 2024. 'Scammers monitor customer complaints on comments, then respond using fake accounts,' Amazon said. The company emphasizes it never asks customers to click external links or move conversations to private messages.
While earlier fraud attempts focused on account access, by May 2025, payment fraud had become the most reported scam, accounting for 38 percent of cases. Amazon reminds users: 'We will never call or email you requesting sensitive information like passwords.' The company has issued clear safety steps: Always access your account through the official app or website, never respond to suspicious messages, and report scam attempts through Amazon's help center or self-reporting tool.
Additionally, Amazon encourages customers to enable two-factor authentication, avoid reusing passwords across websites, and turn on app notifications to confirm legitimate account activity. 'Count to ten before you act,' Amazon advises, stressing that any message pushing urgent action is a red flag. In March, Amazon also warned about 'Membership Renewal Scams,' messages prompting users to renew services by entering payment details on fake websites.
To avoid delivery scams, Amazon recommends buying directly from the company instead of third-party sellers whenever possible. Items shipped and sold by Amazon are more likely to qualify for fast Prime shipping, arrive as advertised, and offer easier returns. Some customers report receiving refunds for defective items without needing to return them, due to Amazon's streamlined internal process.