Cyber criminals often pose as other businesses – known as phishing – and trick users into providing them with personal information or passwords. During the holiday season, scams posing as stores, department stores, and e-commerce giants like Amazon are rampant.
Amazon is one of the companies that cyber criminals use most often as bait to collect user data
This company is one of the baits that cyber criminals can use to carry out countless scams. Generally, they try to obtain sensitive information from users by manipulating it with advertisements that grab their attention or interest, or by sending fraudulent emails, text messages, or calls purporting to be company.
If you’re an Amazon user, be on the lookout for the most common ways cyber criminals can try to steal your data and money by posing as a large online shopping mall, according to cybersecurity firm Kaspersky:
– “Somebody entered your account.” One way is to receive an email stating that irregular activity has been detected on your Amazon profile, that changes have been made to your information, or that someone has logged into your account. This is where you should be aware because in order to “fix the problem” you will be asked to click on a link that will take you to a page very similar to Amazon so that you have to re-enter your details. However, they do hand over all of your personal information to a malicious website which is then used to commission fraud of all kinds.
– “You have subscribed to Amazon Prime.” Similar to the previous case, cyber criminals can contact you by email, but also by SMS, to inform you that you will be billed for subscribing to the Amazon Prime service and, if you wish, also provide a phone number to receive information about it. This is where the tick is because since you haven’t stopped the service you want to call to indicate that everything is in error. If you call, cyber criminals will try to convince you to obtain information from your personal information and banking information (especially your credit card numbers).
– “You just bought that! Was it you?” Another strategy could be to send you an email letting you know that you bought something from Amazon and that the particular shipment is being processed. However, you have doubts as to whether you performed this surgery. In the email you will receive a phone number to call if you want to confirm. And as in the previous case, calling is a bad idea as cyber criminals are only trying to get your personal and financial information.
“You won a prize!” Another well-known tactic is to email you to let you know that you have received a bonus, discount or gift and to place a link that you must click to receive it. In this link you will be asked again for your personal information and if you enter it it will indicate a possible fraud.
– Be careful with gift cards! There are cases where some sellers may request the use of an Amazon gift card in payment for a product. In reality, this could be a scam where you run out of product and money.
-Beware of invitations to install certain applications! Recently, some cyber criminals emailed Amazon user requests to install TeamViewer remote access software on their computers. They do this to obtain personal information from their victims and to carry out possible scams.
The invitation is: If you are an active Amazon user, please be careful with the information you receive via email, text message, or phone call. Avoid giving out your personal or financial information at all times. Cyber criminals are known to attempt to conduct shopping hours like Black Friday and Christmas. as many scams as possible.
