Amazon Black Friday warning as 300 million consumers vulnerable to cyber assault
Amazon has issued a warning to customers as Black Friday gets underway, with the online retail giant saying that some 300 million shoppers are at risk of being targeted by cyber criminals
Shoppers have been warned about an increased risk of cybercrime as Black Friday nears. This annual pre-Christmas sales bonanza consistently delivers massive discounts on products, including technology, clothing and household appliances, making it an excellent opportunity to snap up a bargain.
However, it’s also a peak time for getting scammed, with cyber criminals frequently exploiting the appeal of fantastic deals to ensnare victims. Fraudsters are targeting Amazon customers by making contact in attempts to “access to sensitive information like personal or financial information, or Amazon account details.”
The online retail giant warned shoppers whilst issuing a timely reminder to purchasers to remain vigilant during online shopping. Amazon states that some of the most common scams emerging in November include bogus messages claiming to concern delivery or account problems, third-party social media posts featuring deals that appear too good to be true, and messages via unofficial channels requesting passwords or payment details.
“As the busy shopping season approaches, stay informed with these tips to help recognise impersonation scams – when a scammer pretends to be a trusted company and reaches out to try to get access to sensitive information like personal or financial information, or Amazon account details,” Amazon stated in an email distributed this week.
There are several methods fraudsters employ during Black Friday to target unsuspecting shoppers, including sending out counterfeit delivery emails and informing users that their shopping account requires updating, reports the Mirror.
Those who fall for these tricks can end up divulging highly personal details, which can then be used to defraud them.
Another tactic cyber criminals use involves unfamiliar links asking customers to verify their account credentials through bogus or phishing websites. “Amazon will never send emails asking customers to verify their account credentials,” the company cautioned.
Amazon’s five rules to follow:
- Always utilise the Amazon mobile app or website for all your shopping needs, including customer service, account changes, delivery tracking, and refund status.
- Bear in mind, Amazon will never request you to make payments or to provide payment information (including gift cards or wire transfers) for products or services over the phone.
- Consider implementing 2-step verification when available for your online accounts to help prevent unauthorised account access. You can set up 2-step verification at amazon.co.uk/2SV..
- Save time and enhance security using a passkey. It’s a safer way to sign in than using passwords and it works with the same face, fingerprint, or PIN you already use to unlock your device.
- Set up a passkey at amazon.co.uk/passkey..
- Scammers might attempt to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to comply with their requests. Be wary any time someone tries to convince you that immediate action is necessary.
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