Amazon shoppers have been issued an urgent warning about a scam that has already cost victims more than £86,000 in October alone. Criminals are impersonating the online retailer in convincing phone calls, a tactic that appears to be succeeding as the Christmas shopping period approaches.
How the scam works
According to the team at Report Fraud, scammers stole over £86,000 from victims during October. The latest threat marks a shift from fake emails and text messages to direct phone calls, with fraudsters posing as genuine Amazon representatives.
Once on the line, they claim suspicious items have been added to the victim's shopping basket. To make the story convincing, they provide a delivery address that does not belong to the customer and suggest someone is attempting to use their bank details for unauthorised purchases.
Fake security instructions
The scammer then says there is a way to stop the transactions and secure the account, which is where they obtain the information needed to steal money. Victims are given a series of fake security instructions, including sharing their screen through messaging apps and handing over sensitive documents such as a passport or driving licence.
More concerningly, some people are told to download remote access software. Once installed, criminals can take full control of a computer or other device, allowing them to access personal information and carry out financial transactions.
Official warnings
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.
"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. Whether somebody claims to be from Amazon, your bank, the police or any other organisation, don't feel pressured into acting immediately."
She added: "End the conversation, find the genuine contact details yourself and make contact independently. A few moments of caution can make all the difference."
Amazon's advice
A spokesperson for Amazon 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 companies, banks and police officers will never phone out of the blue and ask you to transfer money, reveal sensitive financial information or hand over remote access to your computer or phone. If you receive a suspicious call, don't be afraid to hang up. Never follow instructions to download software, share your screen or hand over personal documents.
