Amazon Phone Scam
December 9, 2020
Scams often ramp up around the holidays, and especially this year, when many people are turning to online retailers like Amazon to do their holiday shopping. One common scam this year involves callers claiming to be from Amazon.
Here's how it works. A scammer calls you, claiming to be an Amazon representative. Once you answer, the person calling tells you they need you to verify a purchase, usually for an iPhone or other expensive item. When you tell them you didn't make that purchase, they direct you to a website to "cancel the order," where they'll steal your personal information or install malware on your computer instead. Some variations of this scam will try to get your personal information over the phone. You can listen to some recorded examples of this scam courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission.
So how do you avoid this scam? Here are some tips:
- If you get a call like this, just hang up - Amazon doesn't ask for personal info over the phone.
- Be skeptical of any unsolicited calls or emails that ask for personal information.
- Ignore calls for immediate action. Scammers often try to get you to act before you think.
- Beware of requests for payment via wires, prepaid debit cards, CashApp, or gift cards (like iTunes).
If you get a call like this, it is helpful to report it to Amazon and the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker. If you think your SCCU accounts have been compromised by this or another scam, give us a call at (423) 875-6955.