It is important to remember not to open attachments or click links from suspicious emails or text messages. Links and attachments may lead to your device being infected with a virus or malware.
A reader contacted BladenOnline after receiving a suspicious text message this week. The text message in question claimed to be from “Amazon” and stated an order had been shipped and the customer’s card was charged. Then the text message read, “NOT YOU? Call at” and gave a phone number to call.
Our reader said, “People need to be aware of this and that it is a scam. I almost fell for it.”
Emails have also been sent to Amazon customers about unauthorized purchases from their accounts. The emails prompt unsuspecting customers to call a fake Amazon “customer support” number. According to reports, the phone calls are answered by counterfeit “tech support” representatives attempting to hijack devices and steal personal information.
According to law enforcement, these scams are becoming more prevalent — and more sophisticated.
Here are some tips to help you avoid being a victim:
1. A common trick of scammers is to send an email claiming a fraudulent purchase was made on a popular account you might use, such as Amazon. First, check the sender’s email address — if the email URL is not from the service in question, it’s a scam.
2. With email scams, remember, if you receive one of these scam emails, never call the “customer service” or “tech support” number listed in the email, and never use links inside the email to “access your account.” Those links go to fake login webpages designed to look like actual login pages for services such as Amazon. Logging in using one of these fake pages allows scammers to steal your login credentials.
3. Telephone customer support for services like Amazon will never ask for your banking information, driver’s license, Social Security number, or other sensitive personal and financial information. They will also not ask you to install apps or other software on your computer or phone. Those programs can be used to hijack your devices — and steal your information.
4. If you are concerned about fraud on a service such as Amazon, log directly into Amazon.com to check your account and contact customer service. Check directly through a verified/trusted Amazon email address or phone number if the authenticity of the message is a concern. And make all purchases using credit cards instead of debit cards — it’s easier to reverse the charges.
5. Numbers can be blocked from sending you text messages. On an Apple iPhone, if you receive a text message, click the arrow at the top next to the number that sent you the text. There will be icons for “call” and “info.” Select the “info” icon. Select the option at the bottom in red that says: “Block this Caller.”
On Amazon’s website, it states, “We take fraud, scam, phishing and spoofing attempts seriously. If you receive correspondence you think may not be from Amazon, please report it immediately.”
To report suspicious activity to Amazon, visit the web address linked below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GRGRY7AQ3LMPXVCV
You can also report any suspicious phone calls or text messages to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
To report a phone call or text message visit ftc.gov/complaint and follow the onscreen assistant.
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