Amazon customers have been warned to be on the lookout for an email asking them to update their payment information
Amazon customers are being urged to keep their wits about them as a cunning scam designed to filch personal details has come to light.
Consumer watchdog Which? has sounded the alarm in its latest scam alerts, cautioning that devious fraudsters are masquerading as Amazon representatives. These scammers are duping customers with emails claiming their Amazon Prime Membership is on the brink of renewal.
The deceptive email informs recipients that their current payment method is defunct and needs updating. It then prompts them to click on a link leading to a bogus website, where they’re coaxed into divulging their personal details.
An example of the deceitful email states: “Hi Customer, Your Amazon Prime Membership is set to renew on July 1, 2024. However, we’ve noticed that the payment method associated with your Prime membership is no longer valid.”
“To update the default payment method or choose a new one for your membership, please click on the button below and follow the on-screen instructions. Sincerely, Amazon Prime Team.”
Customers who encounter any fishy emails should immediately forward them to [email protected], while dodgy websites can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre via their official channel.
How to check if an Amazon email is legitimate
Amazon’s official customer guidance emphasises that the company will never request personal information via email. Furthermore, Amazon will not ask for payment information updates unrelated to an Amazon order you’ve placed or an Amazon service to which you’re subscribed.
A swift way to verify if your payment information needs updating is by checking ‘My Orders’ on the Amazon app or your account. If an update is required, you’ll be prompted on this page.
You can also confirm a sender’s identity by clicking on the sender name in the ‘From’ field. Emails from Amazon will always originate from an address ending in @amazon.co.uk or a similar domain if you’ve ordered from an international site.
It’s crucial to remember that merely looking at the sender’s name isn’t sufficient as fraudsters can easily alter the name linked to their email address.
Full guidance from Amazon can be found here.
