Trend Micro</a></em>.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Amazon scams are a really, really serious problem. Not only are they seemingly <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/tag/amazon//">everywhere, but they&rsquo;re also worryingly convincing. In fact, they&rsquo;re so convincing that a woman in California recently lost her entire life savings to a particularly deceptive one. Keep on reading to learn about the latest Amazon scams and how to stay protected.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<h2><strong>Amazon gift card and rewards scams</strong></h2>\r\n<p>These latest Amazon gift card and rewards scams have been spreading like crazy via text message. Here are some examples of what the rewards scams look like:</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageHalf","_identifier":"block-59629","data":{"imageLeft":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/01-4efd3.jpg_900x.jpg","imageRight":null}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageHalf","_identifier":"block-59632","data":{"imageLeft":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/02-a2a28.jpg_900x.jpg","imageRight":null}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-59517","data":{"text":"<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">Fake promises of a free TV</h5>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Below is an example of one of the gift card scams that was sent to an unsuspecting person. It&rsquo;s very similar in style to the recent Apple <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://news.trendmicro.com/2022/03/24/scam-alert-amazon-airpods-raffle-scam-text//">AirPods raffle scam</a> text messages:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><em>RAW, someone from wants to send you an Amazon gift card as a present. Please claim your $1000 AMAZON GIFT CARD NOW!!! &lt;URL&gt;</em></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p><br />Both types of scams arrive via text message and contain an embedded link. Once clicked on, the link will take you to a malicious site that is designed to trick you into entering your personal information.</p>\r\n<p>There is no free TV or gift card &mdash; the scammers just want you to think there is so you feel comfortable giving them your personal information. This is the end goal for both these scams.</p>\r\n<p>These types of scams will commonly ask you to provide your name, address, email address, and even detailed banking information. The scammers will then use this information to withdraw the money from your bank account and commit any number of other crimes, including identity theft.</p>\r\n<p>Detect scam and phishing websites in real time with <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=blog\%22>Trend Micro Check</a>. It&rsquo;s 100% free!</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-59530","data":{"text":"Get Trend Micro Check (It's free!)","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&source=blog"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-59544","data":{"text":"<h2>Amazon text scams</h2>\r\n<p>These scams have the same goal as the rewards and gift card scams (to steal your personal data), but they&rsquo;re presented differently.</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-59557","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/03-6bd9d.jpg_900x.jpg"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-59559","data":{"text":"<h5 style=\"text-align: center;\">An Amazon text scam. Source: Reddit</h5>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>Below are some more examples of the text messages potential victims have received:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>&lt;1subject:noreply@primeamazon&gt; we couldn't process your latest subscriber payment. . to restore access , sign in and follow on-screen instructions. {URL}</li>\r\n<li>your amazonprime cannot be charged. please revise your card at {URL} to keep your amazonprime access.</li>\r\n<li>&lt;1subject:noreply@primeamazon&gt; we couldn't finish the latest subscriber payment. . to restore access , sign in and follow on-screen instructions. {URL}</li>\r\n<li>we were unable to charge your prime access. visit {URL} to keep your access.</li>\r\n<li>your amazonprime cannot be charged. please revise your card at {URL} to keep your amazonprime access.</li>\r\n<li>-amazonprime- we have been unable to process your last payment, please visit: {URL} to update your payment information.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>Once again, if you click any of the links in the messages, you will be taken to a website designed to steal your personal information. And once the scammers have got their hands on that, well, they&rsquo;re pretty much free to commit any crime they want &mdash; in your name!</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<h2>Amazon email scams</h2>\r\n<p>Similar scams commonly circulate via email, too. Here&rsquo;s an example of what they look like:</p>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageFull","_identifier":"block-59572","data":{"image":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/04-d0214.jpg_900x.jpg"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-59574","data":{"text":"<h2>Woman loses life savings to Amazon scam</h2>\r\n<p>You might be thinking to yourself &ldquo;yeah, but I would never fall for any of these scams.&rdquo; The truth is, the scammers are getting more and more crafty by the day!</p>\r\n<p>One woman in Carlsbad, California recently lost over $84,000 to an Amazon scam similar to the ones mentioned in this post. The woman described the scammers as &ldquo;very professional&rdquo; and said she didn&rsquo;t notice any of the red flags before it was too late and she&rsquo;d lost her entire life savings.</p>\r\n<p>Click here to read the full story.</p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\r\n<h2>How to protect yourself</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Double-check the sender&rsquo;s mobile number/email address.</li>\r\n<li>Free gifts or prizes are always a major red flag.</li>\r\n<li>Always go to the official website/application instead of using links from unknown sources.</li>\r\n<li>Use <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=blog\%22>Trend Micro Check</a>to surf the web safely (it&rsquo;s free!)</li>\r\n<li>Add an extra layer of protection to your device with Trend Micro <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=6c217&amp;source=blog\%22>Maximum Security</a>. Its Web Threat Protection, Ransomware Protection, Anti-phishing, and Anti-spam Protection can help you combat scams and cyberattacks. Click the button below to give it a try:</li>\r\n</ul>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ButtonGroup","_identifier":"block-59587","data":{"buttons":[{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-59588","data":{"text":"Get Maximum Security","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=6c217&source=blog"}},{"_template":"Articles\\Button","_identifier":"block-59602","data":{"text":"Get Trend Micro Check (It's free!)","link":"https://api.link.trendmicro.com/events/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&source=blog"}}]}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-59616","data":{"text":"<p>As ever, if you&rsquo;ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please do&nbsp;<strong>SHARE</strong>&nbsp;it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected.</p>"}}],"sidebarBlocks":[{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Cta","_identifier":"block-157084","data":{"title":"Report a Scam!","consumer":null,"description":"Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!","image":"https://files.scamadviser.com/thumbs/tell-your-story-8910e.png_200x200.png","button":"Report a Scam!","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/leave-review"}},{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Taxonomy","_identifier":"block-157123","data":{"title":"Scam Categories","taxonomies":[{"id":7,"name":"Scam Alerts (779)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts"},{"id":6,"name":"Scam Trends (240)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends"},{"id":8,"name":"Global Scam Country Guide (44)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/global-scam-country-guide"},{"id":3,"name":"News about Scamadviser (39)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/news-about-scamadviser"},{"id":5,"name":"Reliable Sites (27)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites"},{"id":2,"name":"Research & Reports (26)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports"},{"id":1,"name":"Tips & Support (24)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/tips-support"},{"id":4,"name":"Advice for Companies (2)","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies"}]}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59407","data":{"text":"Help & Info","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157795","data":{"articles":[{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157796","data":{"title":"Tips & Support","link":"","icon":"fa-lightbulb-o","renderAsInertiaLink":false}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157824","data":{"title":"Scam Alerts","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-alerts","icon":"fa-exclamation-triangle","renderAsInertiaLink":true}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157839","data":{"title":"Learn about Scams","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/scam-trends","icon":"fa-tags","renderAsInertiaLink":true}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157854","data":{"title":"Reliable Sites","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/reliable-sites","icon":"fa-check-circle","renderAsInertiaLink":true}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157869","data":{"title":"Advice for Companies","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/advice-for-companies","icon":"fa-comment","renderAsInertiaLink":true}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-157884","data":{"title":"Research & Reports","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/research-reports","icon":"fa-search","renderAsInertiaLink":true}},{"_template":"Home\\Articles","_identifier":"block-161131","data":{"title":"Global Scam Country Guide","link":"https://www.scamadviser.com/global-scam-country-guide","icon":"fa-globe","renderAsInertiaLink":false}}],"buttonText":"See all","buttonLink":"https://www.scamadviser.com/help-info"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Heading","_identifier":"block-59517","data":{"text":"Popular Stories","size":"large"}},{"_template":"Default\\Content\\Blogs","_identifier":"block-59530","data":{"items":[{"id":13,"title":"How to Recognize a Scam Website","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/how-to-recognize-a-scam-website","excerpt":"As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam.\r\nCommon Sense: Too Good To Be True\r\nWhen looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact.\r\nIf an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website.\r\nCheck Out the Social Media Links\r\nSocial media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":true},{"id":4,"title":"How Do I Get Money Back From a Scammer?","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/how-do-i-get-money-back-from-a-scammer","excerpt":"So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!!\r\nIf you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. \r\nIf you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used.\r\n\r\nPayPal\r\nDebit card/Credit card\r\nBank transfer\r\nWire transfer\r\nGoogle Pay\r\nBitcoin\r\n\r\nPayPal\r\nIf you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase.\r\nConditions to file a dispute:\r\n\r\nThe simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: \"If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple.\"\r\nThe scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller. \r\nThe condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the ","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":true}]}}],"meta":{"title":"Amazon Rewards, Gift Card & Text Scams","description":"Check if a website is a scam website or a legit website. ScamAdviser helps identify if a webshop is fraudulent or infected with malware, or conducts phishing, fraud, scam and spam activities. 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Amazon Rewards, Gift Card & Text Scams

Header

Author: Trend Micro

April 6, 2022

This article is from Trend Micro.

 

Amazon scams are a really, really serious problem. Not only are they seemingly everywhere, but they’re also worryingly convincing. In fact, they’re so convincing that a woman in California recently lost her entire life savings to a particularly deceptive one. Keep on reading to learn about the latest Amazon scams and how to stay protected.

 

Amazon gift card and rewards scams

These latest Amazon gift card and rewards scams have been spreading like crazy via text message. Here are some examples of what the rewards scams look like:

Fake promises of a free TV

 

Below is an example of one of the gift card scams that was sent to an unsuspecting person. It’s very similar in style to the recent Apple AirPods raffle scam text messages:

  • RAW, someone from wants to send you an Amazon gift card as a present. Please claim your $1000 AMAZON GIFT CARD NOW!!! <URL>


Both types of scams arrive via text message and contain an embedded link. Once clicked on, the link will take you to a malicious site that is designed to trick you into entering your personal information.

There is no free TV or gift card — the scammers just want you to think there is so you feel comfortable giving them your personal information. This is the end goal for both these scams.

These types of scams will commonly ask you to provide your name, address, email address, and even detailed banking information. The scammers will then use this information to withdraw the money from your bank account and commit any number of other crimes, including identity theft.

Detect scam and phishing websites in real time with Trend Micro Check. It’s 100% free!

Amazon text scams

These scams have the same goal as the rewards and gift card scams (to steal your personal data), but they’re presented differently.

An Amazon text scam. Source: Reddit

 

Below are some more examples of the text messages potential victims have received:

  • <1subject:noreply@primeamazon> we couldn't process your latest subscriber payment. . to restore access , sign in and follow on-screen instructions. {URL}
  • your amazonprime cannot be charged. please revise your card at {URL} to keep your amazonprime access.
  • <1subject:noreply@primeamazon> we couldn't finish the latest subscriber payment. . to restore access , sign in and follow on-screen instructions. {URL}
  • we were unable to charge your prime access. visit {URL} to keep your access.
  • your amazonprime cannot be charged. please revise your card at {URL} to keep your amazonprime access.
  • -amazonprime- we have been unable to process your last payment, please visit: {URL} to update your payment information.

Once again, if you click any of the links in the messages, you will be taken to a website designed to steal your personal information. And once the scammers have got their hands on that, well, they’re pretty much free to commit any crime they want — in your name!

 

Amazon email scams

Similar scams commonly circulate via email, too. Here’s an example of what they look like:

Woman loses life savings to Amazon scam

You might be thinking to yourself “yeah, but I would never fall for any of these scams.” The truth is, the scammers are getting more and more crafty by the day!

One woman in Carlsbad, California recently lost over $84,000 to an Amazon scam similar to the ones mentioned in this post. The woman described the scammers as “very professional” and said she didn’t notice any of the red flags before it was too late and she’d lost her entire life savings.

Click here to read the full story.

 

How to protect yourself

  • Double-check the sender’s mobile number/email address.
  • Free gifts or prizes are always a major red flag.
  • Always go to the official website/application instead of using links from unknown sources.
  • Use Trend Micro Checkto surf the web safely (it’s free!)
  • Add an extra layer of protection to your device with Trend Micro Maximum Security. Its Web Threat Protection, Ransomware Protection, Anti-phishing, and Anti-spam Protection can help you combat scams and cyberattacks. Click the button below to give it a try:

As ever, if you’ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please do SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected.

Report a Scam!

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

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As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller.  The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the