UK Amazon users are being urged to stay vigilant after Action Fraud reported that criminals stole over £86,000 from victims during October alone. The latest threat sees scammers impersonating the shopping brand over the phone, claiming to be Amazon representatives.
How the scam works
Crooks are no longer relying solely on emails or fake texts. Instead, they call customers directly and pretend to be from Amazon. Once connected, the scammer claims that unauthorised items have been added to the victim's shopping basket.
To make the fraud appear genuine, they provide a delivery address that does not belong to the victim and claim that someone is attempting to purchase items using the victim's bank details. The scammer then says the best way to stop the transactions is by securing the account.
Fake instructions and remote access
Victims are asked to share their screen via messaging apps and provide access to documents, such as a passport or driving licence, for "verification" purposes. In more serious cases, scammers tell victims to download remote access software, which allows criminals to take control of PCs and carry out transactions on the victim's behalf.
Chief Superintendent Amanda Wolf, Head of Report Fraud Operations, said: "Fraudsters are increasingly successful when they can make their approach feel ordinary. A call about an account issue, a delivery problem or suspicious activity can catch any of us off guard, particularly when it appears to come from a brand we know and trust."
Official advice and how to stay safe
Wolf advised: "The best defence is to pause. Criminals want people to react quickly; we want people to take a moment, challenge what they're being told and verify it through a trusted route." She added: "Whether somebody claims to be from Amazon, your bank, the police or any other organisation, don't feel pressured into acting immediately. End the conversation, find the genuine contact details yourself and make contact independently. A few moments of caution can make all the difference."
An Amazon Spokesperson said: "Scammers that attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk and there are a variety of scams that ask people to make payments by email, phone, or text for items or services. Be wary any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now - scammers may try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking, and they use convincing tactics to reel consumers in. 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 them safe."
Genuine service providers, banks and the police will never call asking you to transfer money, share personal financial details or hand over remote control of your computer, phone or other device. If you receive a call from someone and are unsure, politely tell them you are hanging up, then contact the company directly to check for issues.
