Anyone using Amazon warned 'do not answer phone call' in scheme alert
Consumer watchdog Which? has raised the alarm about a new tactic
Amazon online shoppers have been warned to remain vigilant when answering phone calls from 'customer service representatives'. Whilst it might seem like they have your best interest at heart, it could end up with people stuck in a helpless position as victims' bank accounts get emptied.
Whilst it's difficult to pinpoint exact figures, Amazon boasts millions of customers who use its fast and reliable online shopping services. This put a target on a significant number of Brits who need to remain alert following consumer watchdog Which? sounding the alarm over a new strategy employed by criminals to exploit unsuspecting shoppers.
As per Which?, fraudsters are beginning to take advantage of the 'one-time passcode' system to lock people out of their accounts, rendering them unable to act as their bank accounts are held to ransom. Experts are already aware of similar tactics being deployed on platforms such as Very, Klarna, and others, reports The Mirror.
How does this scam work?
The scheme starts with a call from a person claiming to be an Amazon employee. It's likely that the caller will be aware of your name, mobile number, and email address, which may have been obtained through any data breaches involving your personal information.
Reports suggest that the scammer will try to persuade the recipient of the call that their account has been utilised to purchase numerous high-value items, sparking concern and panic. The caller will then inform you that you'll receive a text message on your mobile device from Amazon, containing a passcode.
Which? clarified that whilst this message will indeed be genuinely from Amazon, it will have been triggered by a fraudster attempting to bypass your security measures. Those who fall victim during this deliberately panic-inducing scenario may give up the crucial final detail that the caller requires to gain access to your Amazon account and use the saved payment information to rack up purchases under your name, subsequently emptying any bank account linked to the card.
Amazon's response to this scam
A spokesperson from Amazon told Which?: "Scammers that attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk, and we will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.
"We may ask you to verify your identity if you call customer service for support. Amazon will never contact you first to ask you for your password, verification passcodes or security question."
Report fraudulent calls received on your mobile by forwarding the number to 7726. Should you suffer financial losses due to a scam, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card and report it to Report Fraud - or call the police on 101 if you're in Scotland.
Sometimes, scammers won't aggressively drain bank accounts as some schemes work using a little and often approach. It was previously reported that more than 20 million adults have accidentally signed up for subscriptions, with nearly five million still paying for services they never wanted.
These traps often hide behind "free trials" or low-cost one-off purchases, relying on small, repeated payments to fly under the radar. Known as 'silent scams', National Trading Standards said that people are often falling victim to these 'silent scams' without even realising it.