Amazon Gives Shoppers Tips on Avoiding Impersonation Scams

Amazon warned consumers to be alert to impersonation scams this holiday season. Fake order confirmations were over half of reported impersonation scams this year, it said Wednesday. The unsolicited communications often refer to a purchase that wasn’t really made, asking the person to “act urgently to confirm the purchase.” When she tries to cancel the fake order by clicking a link or calling the “customer service” number provided, scammers then try to steal personal or financial information, it said. Among Amazon’s tips for avoiding scams: 1) verify purchases on Amazon; 2) don’t respond to requests for payment over the phone or by e-mail; 3) be wary of false urgency; 4) don’t be pressured into buying a gift card; 5) contact Amazon if unsure about a potential scam; and 6) track scams at the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker. Amazon implemented email verification technology in 20 countries to help customers identify phishing emails, it said: Customers using Gmail, Yahoo and other common email providers will see the Amazon smile logo icon in their inbox. It also has a guide to help tell whether an email, phone call, text or webpage is really from Amazon. The company has initiated takedowns of more than 20,000 phishing websites and 10,000 phone numbers used in impersonation schemes, it said, and it has referred over 100 “bad actors” to law enforcement authorities globally.