Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Amazon Scam Warning : One of the better proactive corporate communications

Information on the latest scams: learn how to identify and avoid them

Over two-thirds of all Amazon impersonation scams reported by our customers globally in 2023 claimed to be related to order or account issues.

At Amazon, we constantly leverage the feedback we receive through customer reports and our own proactive efforts to innovate and take down scammers as fast as possible. In 2023, we initiated takedown of more than 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 phone numbers impersonating Amazon. However, the fight against scammers is never over. Below you’ll find information on the latest trends and information on how to identify and avoid these scams.

Fake order issue scams
    These are unexpected calls, texts, and emails that often refer to an unauthorized order and ask you to act urgently to confirm or cancel the purchase by providing personal or payment information.

    For any question related to an order, always check your order history on Amazon.ca or via the “Amazon Shopping” app. Only legitimate purchases will appear in your order history. Customer Service is available 24/7 to help with any questions you may have.

Fake account issue scams
    Scammers pose as Amazon and send calls, texts, and emails indicating there is unauthorized activity on your account and that your account will be suspended or locked. They try to lure you to provide personal or payment information or sign-in credentials.

    Do not click on any links or provide your information without authenticating the email or verifying the link. Visit the Message Centre which displays a log of authentic communications sent from Amazon.


Here are some important tips to identify scams and keep your account and information safe:

1. Trust Amazon-owned channels.
    Amazon will never ask you to download any software in order to receive assistance. Always go through the Amazon mobile app or website when seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account.

2. Be wary of false urgency or secrecy.
    Scammers might try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking. Be wary any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now or cannot discuss with trusted individuals.

3. Never pay over the phone.
    Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information, including gift cards for products or services over the phone. Check your financial institution records for unknown or suspicious account activity and seek the advice of your financial institution directly.

4. Verify links first.
    Review the link for misspellings or repeated characters. Legitimate Amazon websites contain "amazon.ca" or "amazon.ca/support." Go directly to our website when seeking help with Amazon devices/services, orders or to make changes to your account.

5. Verify email senders.
    Legitimate Amazon emails contain “@amazon.ca”. In your web browser, hover over the display name under “From” to see full sender address. Look for misspellings or added or substituted characters. Visit the Message Centre to view authentic messages from Amazon.

For more information on how to stay safe online, visit Security & Privacy on the Amazon Customer Service page.

If you receive communication — a call, text, or email — that you think may not be from Amazon, please report it to us at amazon.ca/reportascam.

To review or respond to emails from Amazon, visit the Message Centre on our website.

Amazon Message Centre

Monday, March 11, 2024

Vehicle TAX Renewal Phishing Email with subject Vehicle TAX Renewal xxxxx

For the record, a Vehicle Tax Renewal phishing email attempt that is recently going around, with subject line "Vehicle TAX Renewal : xxxxx". 

What to do?  
Report them, goto bottom of page. 


From :  DVLA/TAX xxxx <adolfodedioslari.bad@maristasmediterranea.com>

Subject
 :  Vehicle TAX Renewal : xxxxx



PHISHING LINKs;

1. https://apuestasdeportivaspro.es/apuestasdeportivaspro/apuestasdeportivasproXXXX.php


How to tell this is a Phishing email ?

  1. Check email address in full, if it's not from originating company then it's phishing.
  2. Hover over all links in email, if it's not from the  company's website then forget it.
  3. The best way is to 

How to examine Email Message Source ?

Now lets look at message source
  1. Outlook.com->Actions->View Message Source. 
  2. Gmail.com->More (down arrow to top right)->Show original.
Check for suspicious links, anything that does not originate from apple.com.


Report Phishing Email (not as Spam)

  1. Outlook.com->Junk (at Top)->Phishing Scam
  2. Gmail.com->More (down-arrow to top right)->Report Phishing 

Report Phishing to Google

If you have received this email, take further action by

  1. https://www.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/

Report phishing at Microsoft and government agencies

  1. http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-faq.aspx

Friday, February 23, 2024

Amazon Prime Phishing Email with subject Your Account Prime will be removed today: 12 February 2024

For the record, this is a Amazon Prime phishing email attempt that is recently going around, with subject line "Say goodbye to financial stress with National Debt Relief!". 

What to do?  
Report them, goto bottom of page. 


From :  Payment declined <support@pearson.com>

Subject
 :  Your Account Prime will be removed today: 12 February 2024




PHISHING LINKs;

1. http://isadelai.onera.fr/zzz.php?xxxxx


How to tell this is a Phishing email ?

  1. Check email address in full, if it's not from originating company then it's phishing.
  2. Hover over all links in email, if it's not from the  company's website then forget it.
  3. The best way is to 

How to examine Email Message Source ?

Now lets look at message source
  1. Outlook.com->Actions->View Message Source. 
  2. Gmail.com->More (down arrow to top right)->Show original.
Check for suspicious links, anything that does not originate from apple.com.


Report Phishing Email (not as Spam)

  1. Outlook.com->Junk (at Top)->Phishing Scam
  2. Gmail.com->More (down-arrow to top right)->Report Phishing 

Report Phishing to Google

If you have received this email, take further action by

  1. https://www.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/

Report phishing at Microsoft and government agencies

  1. http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/phishing-faq.aspx