In 2023, Amazon phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Cybercriminals are using the latest tactics to trick users into giving away their personal information, such as fake emails and websites that look like Amazon. Scammers constantly adapt their tactics to trick unsuspecting Amazon sellers, but we’re here to help. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reports of Amazon scams increased by 500% between June 2020 and 2021, with victims losing more than $27 million to scammers. Learn how the most common and recent Amazon phishing scams happen, the red flags to watch out for, and how to secure your Amazon seller account from scammers.

What are Amazon Phishing Scams?

Phishing is a type of online scam that targets consumers by sending them an e-mail that appears to be from a well-known source – an internet service provider, a bank, or a mortgage company, for example. It asks the consumer to provide personal identifying information. Amazon phishing scams are fraudulent attempts by cybercriminals to obtain sensitive information from Amazon sellers, such as login credentials, credit card details, and other personal information. These scams often involve the use of deceptive emails or messages that appear to be from Amazon, but in reality, they are from scammers.

How Do Amazon Phishing Scams Work?

Amazon phishing scams can be sneaky, and scammers use a variety of tactics to trick people into giving up their personal information. Some of these tactics include:

1. Email Spoofing: Scammers will create emails that look like they’re from Amazon, complete with a fake “From” email address and Amazon logo. These emails often ask you to click on a link to confirm your seller account or update your billing information. But once you click on the link, it takes you to a fake Amazon login page where your information is stolen.

2. Phishing Websites: Scammers will also create fake Amazon websites that look identical to the actual Amazon website. These websites are designed to trick you into entering your personal information.

3. Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your files and demands a ransom to unlock them. Scammers are using ransomware attacks to target Amazon sellers, stealing their data and demanding a ransom in exchange for its safe return.

4. Social Engineering: Scammers are using social engineering tactics to trick people into giving up their personal information. They may use psychological manipulation or fake customer service calls to gain your trust and extract your sensitive data.

5. Text Message Scams: Scammers are now using text messages to target Amazon customers. These messages may contain a fake Amazon order confirmation or a request to update your account information. They may also include a link to a phishing website.

6. Fake Amazon Prime Renewal: Scammers are sending fake Amazon Prime renewal emails, urging users to click on a link to renew their membership. The link leads to a fake Amazon login page where the user’s information is stolen.

7. Voice Phishing: Voice phishing, or “vishing,” is a new trend in Amazon phishing scams in 2023. Scammers are using automated voice messages to trick users into giving away their personal information or login credentials.

8. Mobile Phishing: With more users accessing Amazon on their mobile devices, scammers are now targeting mobile users with phishing scams. Mobile phishing scams often involve fake apps or mobile websites that look like Amazon.

How to Spot a Phishing Email?

Spotting an Amazon phishing email may be hard, but it’s not impossible. There are usually telltale signs to help you identify phishing emails if you know what to look for. And always remember that if you’re in doubt, don’t click.

• Check the Sender: One of the most common tactics used by scammers is to send fake emails that appear to be from Amazon. If you receive an email claiming to be from Amazon and it is something like “amazon-security-info.com” instead of “amazon.com,” it must be a phishing email.

• Look for Urgency: Phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly. If you receive an email that demands immediate action or threatens consequences, it’s a phishing email. Legitimate companies typically give you more time to respond to emails.

• Beware of Attachments: Scammer’s emails often come with attachments that contain malware or viruses. If you receive an attachment from an unknown sender or an unexpected attachment from a known sender, it’s best to avoid opening it.

• Check for Personalization: Phishing emails often use generic greetings like “Dear Sir/Madam” or “Valued Customer.” Authorized companies typically personalize their emails by using your name or username. If an email does not address you by name, it can be a phishing email.

• Hover over Links: Phishing emails often include links that take you to fake login pages or websites that download malware onto your device. Before clicking on any links in an email, hover over them with your mouse to see the URL. If the URL looks suspicious or doesn’t match the company they claim to be from, do not click on it.

• Keep Your Software Updated: Keep your operating system, antivirus software, and web browser up to date to protect against the latest phishing scams.

Tips to Prevent Your Seller Account From Phishing Scams

Pay close attention to the period (full stop) before the “amazon.com” part of the URL. If you suspect that a link is fake then do not click on it. You can hover over the URL to see the real address. We don’t recommend that you unsubscribe from any emails that you believe to be Amazon phishing scams. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

1. Never provide personal info in response to an email or message
2. Always check the sender’s email address and make sure it is the official
3. Never click on links or download attachments from suspicious emails
4. Check the URL of any links before clicking on them
5. Use strong, unique passwords for your Amazon account
6. Use two-factor (2FA) authentication for your Amazon account
7. Use reputable security software, such as a virtual private network (VPN)

Tools to Protect Your Amazon Seller Account

Phishing attacks, a major threat to Amazon seller accounts, can deliver malware and steal sensitive data or money from an organization. Phishing protection solutions enable companies to block attempted phishing attacks before they pose a risk to the company and its employees.

1. Anti-Phishing Software: There are several anti-phishing software available in the market that can help protect against phishing attacks, such as Norton Anti-Phishing, McAfee Anti-Phishing, and Trend Micro Anti-Phishing Solution.
   

2. Password Manager: A password manager can help generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account, reducing the risk of password-related attacks. Examples include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password.
   
3. Web Browsers with Anti-Phishing Features: Many web browsers, such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, offer built-in anti-phishing features that can help detect and block phishing websites.
   

4. Email Filters: Email filters can help detect and block phishing emails before they reach your inbox. Some popular email filters include Google’s Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, and SpamAssassin.
   

How to Report Amazon Phishing Emails

If you’ve received fake Amazon phishing emails, you’re not alone. Reporting internet scams helps companies to stop future attacks against you and others. And though figuring out how to report cybercrime can be confusing, Amazon makes it easy. To report a phishing email to Amazon, simply go to Amazon’s customer service page and follow the onsite instructions.

Final Thoughts

We hope this blog post has been helpful in teaching you how to protect yourself from Amazon phishing scams in 2023. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your personal information. Always be skeptical of suspicious emails or messages and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments. Remember, your personal information is valuable, and it’s up to you to keep it safe from fraudsters. We hope this article will be helpful for you. If you still find difficulties with Amazon phishing scams, feel free to comment below. We are always ready to help you with any e-commerce-related solution.