Shoppers all over the US have been hit with a new Amazon scam that is so sophisticated it’s causing legitimate concern among the citizens. The information that the scammers are talking about expensive products that were added to a consumer’s cart is not only true but these are really people who are trying to victimize others as confirmed by a user named Emily. “Hello, I am from Amazon and I am calling to tell you that your shopping cart has added a $2000 camera, do you want me to place your order for you?” was the first question of a scammer who had the phone with Emily. When Emily refused to give her account details, the scammer got scammer very upset, and the problem was solved only after Emily had called the police.
“Honestly, this one was almost successful.”, said Emily Koss who almost gave all her salary to the fraudsters.
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It’s terrible that the fraudulent situation is spreading so fast and it’s about time everyone learns how the process goes and how they can protect themselves.
It Burn Starts With the Real Feel of a Conversation
The victim’s story is that they were matrixed a call-up by people who claimed to be the support team featured on Amazon’s site. They are informed that they have been chosen (the victim’s account) and they are addressed by their full name. Make the call fake and tense by making the background noise of a call center, which the scammers further exploit to create nonlinear conversation. Users can even feel that they are listening to a real office environment as they can make out the typewriters, the ringing phones, and the chatting of the staff.
The publication also reported that the people behind the scams usually tell the victims during the calls that all of a sudden expensive gadgets like iPhones or Amazon gift cards are present in their cart. The target is asked to log in to Amazon and the magic has been done—they really are there.
Yet no one has added them.
Ironically, the victim is the trickster
When the victim opens the shopping cart and sees the items that don’t exist; the first reaction is panic. They are then offered a way out by the scammer who, through a step-by-step explanation, will, in reality, just take control of the user. Such a procedure can involve the provision of funds to a banking card or the installation of an application like AnyDesk or the like.
Once the apps are on the device, the fraudster has the ability to take over the victim’s device. They can access accounts, gather passwords, and transfer funds in just a few minutes.
Some victims, including Zoe, have reported that when she did not agree to transfer the money, the situation had a U-turn. The caller’s attitude became very rude and harsh. She was further treated badly when she had been moved from one fraudster to another during the same call. As if that were not enough, they even lied to her and informed her that they were collaborating with her bank.
She complained that the phone calls were still coming. She said that more calls followed after she had hung up the phone, which were coming from different phone numbers \”all morning long.\”
How Do Scammers Get Your Number?
This is a highly targeted scam. An explanation given by the FTC denounced that this type of fraud is done by obtaining numbers from illegal sites through online purchases. Scammers who are part of the data breach or are in on the leak are the base.
More often than not, hackers either purchase the numbers or decide to hack the phone line with wardialing software, or they decide to go the easier way and collect numbers from online public social media profiles. If your privacy settings are not strict enough or your number is in the public domain, you become an easy and good target for the hackers.
Further, if you want you can find out your number displayed through various means such as old accounts, online registrations, or if it is being held in a company database.
What Amazon and Experts Say
Alexa’s team is on high alert and has taken necessary precautions to maintain the security and safety of the customer by informing them of these predatory tactics. Amazon in a publicly released statement reiterated that they are being impersonated by scammers who have taken the situation to the next level with regards to the probability of users being vulnerable and vulnerable not to be detected and shunted aside by the company. Amazon also disclosed that it has more abilities to identify bad actors and is also more capable of preserving […]
Cybersecurity professionals have also provided valuable advice. They tell general consumers:
- You should never download remote access apps even if it is requested for during a phone call
- If you receive an unsolicited phone call that claims to be from Amazon, hang up
- In case of doubt, visit Amazon’s official Customer Service page directly
- Operate “Enable Two-Factor Authentication” under “Login & Security” in Amazon settings
It would be best to utilize services such as Norton’s Privacy Monitor or similar resources to eliminate any of your data from public data broker sites and your online presence fully protected.
Is There Any Real Threat To Be Concerned About?
The major risk is the way such calls are adeptly made and sound authentic despite their nature. They do not come from people with spoken English and harsh voices nor robotized voices. The calls are so real that individuals have trouble distinguishing them.
Victims aren’t simply acting neglectfully. They are reacting to what seems like a genuine issue.
Once the fraudster has established trust, and got the gadget access, he can proceed, and in no time, the operations are already lagging behind before the victim realizes what is going on.
Presently, this type of scam is the most deceptively plausible case that fraudsters target for U.S. consumers. Also, refrain from believing the unexpected Amazon call, even if you find it very convincing.
Sign into your account directly. Avoid clicking links or doing what the caller is saying by phone.
In addition, spread the news. A single alert could prevent someone from losing their paycheck.
