Scam No. 6: Unexpected Refund via SMS
How does the scam work? You receive a text message promising a refund – supposedly without having to return the products. The refund is to be requested via a link. A link leads to a deceptively authentic phishing page to capture your login or payment data. Such SMS often come from unknown or foreign numbers and contain shortened URLs like Bit.ly. The Stuttgarter Nachrichten describes this scheme as typical smishing attempts in the name of Amazon.
How to protect yourself: Amazon itself points out that real SMS from them never announce unsolicited refunds or problems. Such messages only appear in the message center on the Amazon website or in the app. Do not click on links in unexpected SMS; instead, go via the official Amazon page or app and report the message as spam.
General Tips – What to do if it has already happened?
Even if you become more vigilant, a scam attempt can always slip through. Important: Please do not panic! Stay calm, act logically, and act quickly:
- Immediately change your Amazon password and remove any payment methods stored there.
- Check your recent orders and saved payment methods.
- Watch for unusual charges in accounts and credit card statements. In urgent cases, lock your account.
- If you have lost money or are unsure, contact Amazon customer service, your bank, the police, or the consumer advice center. This way, you limit the damage and protect your data.
Amazon regularly publishes reminders and current warnings about new scam methods on its Trustworthy Shopping page, especially around promotions like Prime Day. It is also clearly explained that all legitimate communications are published through the message center or when logging into the app/web, never via links in unexpected emails.
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) recommends that in the event of fraud, the computer should also be checked for malware with an antivirus program and all important passwords changed. Additionally, the BSI advises to strengthen overall account security. An important step is to use two-factor authentication (2FA).
Your passwords also play a crucial role: rely on strong and different passwords for each service. A password manager can also be a good solution for this.
Amazon scammers have many tricks up their sleeves, and our overview only shows the most well-known ones. Things become particularly dangerous around major shopping events like the recurring Prime Day. Fraud attempts soar then, from fake order confirmations to blatant phishing emails. Do not fall for scammers and scams on Amazon Prime Day; these are the warnings you should definitely pay attention to.
