Scammers Target Amazon Prime Customers

Amazon Prime customers have been warned that they may be targeted by online fraudsters.

The warning comes as many consumers have become members of Amazon’s premium service during the pandemic.

Security experts say that customers have been receiving phone calls from crooks claiming to be from ‘Amazon Prime security’. The fraudsters tell the victims that their account has been compromised and that a series of unauthorised payments have been made from their accounts.

Once the victim’s trust has been gained, the scammers use remote access software to access the victim’s online bank account.

Computer takeover scams cost victims over £16m annually, according to consumer group Which?.

Digital privacy expert at ProPrivacy, Ray Walsh, said that allowing fraudsters to access your computer remotely could lead to them installing malicious software on your device.

“This will allow hackers to communicate with a command and control server to install secondary exploits such as keyloggers. It is important for consumers across the UK to be alert to the possibility that they too could receive bogus cold calls to fix an issue with their Amazon Prime account ahead of Black Friday,” Walsh said.

Action Fraud has warned people to never visit a website, or install any software, at the request of a cold caller. Additionally, any unsolicited requests for remote access to your device should always be seen as a red flag.

A spokesperson for Amazon told customers to be on guard at all times.

“We take phishing and spoofing attempts on our customers seriously, and will never call a customer for payment outside of our website. If a customer has concerns or receives a call they believe is not from Amazon, they should check the Amazon.co.uk help pages for guidance.”

Which? money editor, Jenny Ross, said that takeover scams cost victims millions of pounds each year.

“Which? is calling on banks to reimburse all blameless customers who fall victim to these scams and for the government to introduce legislation to ensure a new statutory code of practice can be created, which would include clear standards and protections for victims,” Ross said.

“Anyone who receives unsolicited calls claiming to be from tech support or broadband engineers and asking for personal details or to install computer software should hang up and phone their provider back using the legitimate phone number (that they have independently looked up).”