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Wickedest Amazon Scams and How to Avoid Them Successfully?

Wickedest Amazon Scams and How to avoid them successfully?

Amazon scams and threats are increasing day by day and have been reported almost every single day. Amazon scammers most typically employ social engineering ways to trick customers to fall into their fraud schemes. Even Amazon recommends, “Protect yourself from fraud on the internet by identifying and avoiding internet scams and phishing attempts”. The scamsters usually impersonate legitimate representatives of the company and target you with attractive offers which would be hard to resist. Find some of the wickedest Amazon scams and protect yourself wisely.

Different types of Amazon scams

The Failed Delivery and refund Scam

This is the wickedest and the oldest scam which takes place frequently. A scammer buys a product from the website and claims the product didn’t arrive. Then, he/she would ask for a refund or a replacement in return. Though such instances are true in many cases, you must avoid replacements and refund options erroneously. Falling for such scams could destroy your business and profit metrics. Always send or deliver goods via track-and-trace processes, especially if they are expensive ones to avoid further disputes and false claims.

Another scam is a replacement scam when the customer asks replacement for a damaged product even though he/she has received a good one. This is most common in electronics and gaming products. The customers might claim that the product is not working or is broken and change the same with the fresh ones received from Amazon.

Unauthorized purchase scam

This wicked Amazon scam takes place when the users are sent with a phishing email or a call regarding an expensive purchase made by them without their knowledge. The mail contains a fake link related to Amazon’s website along with a phone number where the fraudsters would talk to you representing Amazon customer service. They would typically ask for credit card details to stop the merchandise or cancel the purchase. Once you provide them with the details, they can get an access to your bank account or other significant credentials.

Fake tech-support and malicious link scam

Tech support is yet another Amazon scam increasing at a great speed. This scam involves imposters calling customers or sending them emails purporting to fix customer account problems. Once the user gets convinced, they install software’s to fix the issue and get access to order themselves under the victim’s account.

Similarly, malicious links scams take place through SMS and emails. This would usually look very real, just like Amazon’s messages and prompt you to click on links to solve an issue or track product delivery. When you click on the link, it takes you to the hacker’s site and henceforth, all your credentials get exposed in front of them.

The Amazon Job Offer Scam

Scammers take advantage of the high demand for Amazon jobs by spreading false job advertisements or calling prospective employees with options to work for Amazon. What’s the catch to this con? A bank account, credit card number, or even an Amazon gift card will be demanded as part of the upfront processing or finder’s fee. Amazon.com jobs are always available on Amazon.com/jobs, and there is never an application or interview fee.

Gift card scam

Scammers trick users into purchasing Amazon gift cards and uncovering their card numbers in a gift card scam. Once the gift cards are purchased, the scammers can use them immediately. Since the numbers are one-of-a-kind, the buyer will no longer have the ability to use them. Con artists can pose as your workmates or relatives and claim that they completely missed their wallets and need to buy something on Amazon right away. They may also allege that you or a member of your family is in need of cash in the form of gift cards. Malicious hackers may create phony charity campaigns that use gift cards as payment.

Payment scams

Making payments are quite easy on Amazon and scammers would try to make you pay for the goods outside the Amazon website to secure some discounts. They may offer you extra stuff or heavy discounts and when you pay them through a digital payment gateway, they would neither send you the product nor the money back. Even, you will not be able to claim your losses in front of Amazon since you have made payments outside the website. Such sellers usually delete their accounts from the site once they have scammed a lot of people.

The “Write an Amazon.com Review” Scam

Many fake websites offer money to write fake reviews on Amazon sites which should be ignored completely. The scams usually pop up on the front of the screen, more commonly after big discount days or sale is over. The proposition to write a review can also come via email and offer you stuff to write a review. A link to the website is usually included in the emails, which are obviously fake. Once you enter your user’s name and password to write a review, they get easy access and commit theft. Therefore, Amazon never pays any person to write a review or never ask for a password or other permissions to get a product reviewed. Whenever you see an email seeking reviews for Amazon products, just delete them immediately.

The “Fake Product” Scam

This Amazon scam tends to affect shoppers who presume they’re buying an authentic, product line only to explore it’s a rip-off and just not value for the money they charged for it. Fake sellers are a normal part of life on Amazon, and despite the workforce remaining in order to remove fake sellers, too many phoney sellers slip through the net and onto the Amazon.com platform. To avoid being a victim of this scam, do your homework and check out the seller’s feedback and reviews before clicking the “add to cart” or “buy with one click” button. Continue looking for a credible Amazon seller you can trust if there’s anything suspicious about the seller or any red flags.

How to prevent Amazon scams

  • Never make payments outside the original Amazon website, even though you are charged less or offered extra stuff.
  • As a seller, always use track-and-trace postage when selling goods.
  • Do not provide significant credentials or information to people claiming themselves to be Amazon representatives.
  • Never click on links sent by email or SMS. If you want to check anything about your order or payment details, go directly to the official site or app and check the status. If the order or payment is not listed there, you haven’t made it for sure.

What should you do if you have become an Amazon scam victim?

  • The first step should always be reporting the case to Amazon’s fraud departments and terminating all the communication links with the scamsters.
  • If you have been conned under the name of Amazon outside the site, there is hardly any way that can resolve it. However, you can contact law enforcement bodies to report the forgery.

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