How to Avoid Amazon Scam Calls & Text Messages

September 12, 2023 By Nancy William No Comments 9 minutes

According to Amazon support, they’ve recently encountered around 50% of customer complaints regarding Amazon scam calls. There were several impersonation reports on unrequested communications between the attacker and customers.

 These complaints summarized calls, text messages, and emails asking customers to frantically confirm purchases they never made or to cancel fake orders by clicking on a link. In fact, according to statistics, more than $27 million was stolen from Americans between 2020-2021 via Amazon scams. 

NOTE – We recommend connecting to FastestVPN while shopping on Amazon to secure your connection from third-party intrusions. Our VPN apps also help prevent scam calls and phishing attempts that target most customers. 

These Amazon scam calls were solid attempts to steal user information or get them to make payments. An attack like this can result in extreme loss of money and personal data like banking app passwords and more. Our guide will show you how to spot the most prevalent Amazon scam texts and calls and show you how to avoid them in the long haul. 

What Kinds of Amazon Scams Should You Be Aware Of?

Apart from Amazon scam calls, there are several kinds of scams to stay wary of. We’ve highlighted some of the more common ones, some of which include: 

1. Payment Scams Outside Amazon

This kind of payment scam is when the attacker aims to trick people into making payments from external means instead of the Amazon official app or website. To execute this, the scammer makes its own product listings that are similar to the original but, of course, fake. You will then receive a message from them asking you to make the payments outside of the app. These scam payment methods include Venmo, Zelle, Paypal, or some random links that appear to be safe payment methods. 

2. Amazon Gift Card Scams

The Gift card scams on Amazon are very common. The scammers send out phishing texts, emails, or even call people. They impersonate Amazon officials and ask you to verify the issue with your Amazon account, and the only solution to that is buying an Amazon gift card. Then, they ask you to share that gift card information with them upon purchase. 

3. Typosquatting Amazon Scam Crimes

Have you heard of Typosquatting? If you break the words – squatting technically is an uninvited person sitting on another’s property, and a typo is a spelling error. Now, understanding Typosquatting scams is easier. It’s when a scammer steals or manipulates original links and warps them into a fake version. In the case of Amazon.com, the scammer creates a link with the name Amozon.com. Sometimes, customers assume they’re on the right website and make purchases. 

4. Amazon Vishing Scam

These are a kind of scam Amazon calls where fake customer support teams contact you from unverified phone numbers. They create some cock and bull story telling you that you’ve requested a refund, or something went wrong with your order, or that there’s a new product listed that might interest you. No matter what the reason may be, never handle business over a phone call, and most certainly not from a source other than the official website. Giving sensitive information over a call is a cardinal sin. 

5. Amazon Smishing Scams

Smishing scams are like Amazon scam calls but are done through text messages. This kind of scam targets people and poses as a customer service representative from Amazon. They target customers, telling them there have been issues with packages, payments, or refunds. Links are provided through these text messages, leading them to compromised sites. Official sites as big as Amazon never ask customers to click on text message links. 

6. The Amazon Mystery Box Scam

Even though a mystery box might seem like a fun idea, what’s the point if you’re not sure about the quality of the product you’re receiving? You should be concerned since you’re still spending money on it. Most mystery box listings on Amazon are actual scams. There’s a whole team that sits and posts positive reviews, tricking customers into buying them. The reality is you will end up with a fake product and a no-return, no-refund policy. 

7. Video Scams on Amazon Prime

Amazon offers a video streaming service by the name of Prime Video. It’s one of the more popular options from a list of streaming apps that offer Original movies and TV shows, but sadly, scammers have found a new way to impersonate the service, too. This is done when the hacker or scammer creates fake links to websites that offer tutorials or set-up guides. Once you hand in your information, your Amazon accounts can get hacked.

8. Refund Amazon Scams

Another kind of Amazon scam call includes the “refund” trick. These scammers will contact you from an unofficial number, claiming that you are eligible or can request a refund for the “order” you placed. However, to avail of that refund, you need to give your personal information like credit card numbers, name, email, and bank statements, or follow the link they give you. They will give you just about any kind of story to make you believe. 

9. Brushing Scam on Amazon

Most people ask, “What is a Brushing scam on Amazon?” Well, picture this: an unauthorized package from Amazon is delivered to your doorstep, and you never ordered one. These scams are induced by using your name and information to post positive reviews on fake websites. There isn’t even any return address on the package. 

Now that you’re aware of the Amazon scam calls, texts, and emails that you’d encounter if you’re not careful, let’s discuss ways you can prevent them.

How to Prevent Amazon Scam Calls or Text Messages

As mentioned, scams on Amazon are very much still at large, and there are different ways for scammers to target you. However, there are still ways for you to prevent them, and here’s how: 

1. Use Two-Factor Authentication

Enabling 2FA on your device accounts is crucial. If ever someone tries to scam you and steal your login information, they would still need the verification code that is sent to your phone or email. This helps alert you if anything goes wrong. 

2. Cut the Amazon Call Scam Short

If ever a scammer contacts you from a number that is not legitimate and there’s a sense of urgency in their voice, cut the call immediately. Next, go to the official Amazon website and call the number provided there. If ever a call or text is legitimate, you will always get more confirmation emails from the real website support team.

3. Do Not Click on Any Links

Even if a scammer claims to be a support staff from Amazon, the real owners would never ask you to click on links to make payments quickly. There is always a proper payment procedure, which is done directly from the app or the Amazon website. 

4. Avoid Giving Out Sensitive Information

It’s one thing to mention your name during these call Amazon scams, but it’s important never to give out addresses, social security numbers, bank statements, credit card numbers, verification codes, and other data. Official services would never be careless enough to ask you to pay via a link on emails, text, or over calls.  

5. Unsubscribe to Any TeleMarketing Spam Calls

If a call is not from the official Amazon officials, the spam or scam calls will automatically get blacklisted if you sign up for a do not call registry. 

How Do You Identify an Amazon Scam Call?

• Amazon scammers don’t just target one person but a large number of scammers a day with automated software. This is called a robocall, where once you engage, the scammer will do just about anything to get you to comply. These kinds of calls are completely illegal without authorization. 
• Amazon officials are calm while talking to customers. There is no sense of panic or urgency in the way they call, email, or text. If someone calls you and asks you to make payments or give up information and is extremely frantic about it, it’s a red flag. They will even use terms like Fraud department to scare people into complying. There is no rush. Cut the call and contact the Amazon official website for actual details. 
• If you don’t have an Amazon account and still receive a call, email, or text asking you to process your payment or apply for a gift card xyz, simply cut the call straight away or don’t respond to the text. Report the number or address to the authorities. 
• The scammers call you and ask you to provide information like social security numbers, credit card information, account passwords, and more. It’s good to know that Amazon and other official streaming and shipping services never ask you for payment details via call, email, or text. You need to pay through the official website and a proper payment portal. 
• Again, another red flag would be an Amazon scam caller telling you that your purchase payment didn’t come through, or that something went wrong with your package, or that you’ve requested a refund. They confuse you to an extent without giving you any additional information. 

What Do You Do if You’re Already a Victim of Amazon Scam Calls?

Just in case all of the above has already happened to you, here’s what you need to do: 

• Check the bank or credit card statements to see if any money is missing or if any purchases were made without your consent. Call your credit card provider or bank to freeze your account and card immediately. 
• Apply for account statements and credit card reports to be emailed or posted to you. This helps you keep tabs on any weird purchases that were made in your name. 
• Check your account statement immediately to see if any weird activity is taking place without your knowledge. 
• If, in case, scammers have your personal information, take a look to see if any new credit cards, etc., were created under your name. 

FAQs – Amazon Scam Calls

To Conclude

You now know all about what Amazon scam calls and texts are, the various kinds of scamming methods, ways to prevent them, and how to check for red flags. All-in-all, these scams occur regularly, and the best solution is to stay educated about how to tackle these frequent situations. Additionally, we recommend spoofing your IP address with FastestVPN and enabling 2FA for better security measures.

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