Amazon Fraud Surge: How to Spot and Avoid Impersonating the Company

In the last months, Amazon-related scams have seen a significant increase, especially those that focus their target on Amazon Prime users. Cybercriminals have perfected their techniques, leveraging the company's relevance and reach to engineer increasingly sophisticated frauds. Among the most common methods is the so-called phishing., which involves sending emails or messages that appear to be legitimate communications from Amazon.

The rise of this type of crime has led the company itself and organizations such as the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) to intensify its alerts and advice so that users know how to identify when they are facing a trapThe popularity of services like Prime, with millions of subscribers in Spain, makes the platform especially attractive to those seeking to illegally obtain personal and banking information.

How Amazon impersonators operate

The most widespread fraudulent campaigns originate from emails that simulate official Amazon Prime notifications.. The messages often report alleged subscription problems, unexpected charges, or even alerts about imminent membership expiration. The main objective is to The user clicks on links that direct him to fake pages, very similar to the legitimate Amazon website, where he is asked to enter his credentials or financial information.

In some cases, these emails They claim that the subscription will suffer an imminent price increase and offer a button to 'cancel renewal'The strategy is to generate a sense of urgency so that victims act without thinking, thus providing your data to criminals.

Keys to recognizing fraud linked to Amazon

There are Details that can help you differentiate a fraudulent message from an authentic oneSpelling or grammatical errors, inconsistencies in address (mixing "tú" and "usted"), and even incorrect or slightly modified logos are common in these scams. Furthermore, senders often use email addresses that don't correspond to official domains (@amazon.es, @amazon.com) or contain random names.

• Direct requests for personal or banking information by email or SMS.
• Invitation to make payments with gift cards, outside the official platform.
• Attachments in messages purporting to be from Amazon.
• Suspicious links that do not lead to the company's legitimate website.

Another clear sign is the insistence of the messages on conveying urgency, with phrases like 'Do it now or you'll lose your subscription' or similar, and the lack of personalization in the greeting, replacing it with generic ones.

Information that Amazon will never ask for by mail or phone

Amazon reminds its customers that does not, under any circumstances, request sensitive data through unofficial channelsAmong the information the company will never ask for are:

• Access passwords.
• Full credit card or bank account numbers.
• Personally identifiable information, such as the mother's maiden name.
• Payments via alternative methods outside the web.

Tips to check if a communication is authentic

The best way to verify if a notice about your Amazon Prime account is legitimate is to directly access your account through the website or the official appWithin the "Your Account" section, Amazon has a message center where all genuine notifications appear. If you receive a suspicious email, never click on the links or download attachments. Report the message using the platform's tools, such as amazon.es/reportascam, and blocks the sender.

If you have provided data or clicked on a fraudulent link by mistake, Check your bank transactions and change your password immediately, in addition to enabling two-step authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account.

Related article:

Alleged Amazon Spain data leak: what is known and the questions that remain

Recommendations and preventive measures to avoid fraud

• Always use direct links to the official Amazon website by typing the address into your browser.
• Activate XNUMX-Step Verification to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
• Do not share personal information or credentials via email or text messages.
• Regularly delete cookies and history navigation to make it difficult to obtain your data in the event of attacks.
• Stay informed of the latest alerts issued by the company itself and cybersecurity organizations such as the INCIBE.

Recent figures and warnings about the problem

The phenomenon of Amazon-linked phishing It is global and its incidence in Spain increases especially during special dates such as Prime Day or periods of large discounts. According to data from official sources, In 2023 alone, more than 34.000 complaints of trademark impersonation were filed in the United States., causing losses in the millions.

Amazon recently announced that the increase in the number of fraudulent notifications related to alleged price increases for Prime memberships does not reflect the reality of the service's cost, which remains stable except for the option to remove ads, which is an optional add-on. The company warns users to be wary of messages claiming price changes and confirms that there have been no changes to the current rate..

What to do if your account has been compromised

If you detect suspicious movements or unrecognized purchases in your Amazon account, the first thing is immediately change your password. Next, review and delete your saved payment methods and contact both the company and your bank to report the situation. It's a good idea to gather evidence, such as screenshots, and file a report with the authorities if the situation warrants it. The Amazon app and website allow you to review your order and message history to quickly detect any irregularities.

The increasing sophistication of these frauds means that Caution and verification on official channels are the best tools to protect yourself. and avoid falling into the trap of those who impersonate Amazon for malicious purposes.

Alberto navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.