Amazon's VP provides guidance on safeguarding against holiday impersonation frauds.

As Thanksgiving leftovers are consumed, Christmas is already approaching, and with it comes an increase in impersonation scams.

As shopping season intensifies, Amazon becomes a prime target for fraudsters. Be cautious of fake contacts attempting to steal sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank details, or Amazon account credentials.

To ensure a scam-free shopping experience this holiday season, we interviewed Scott Knapp, VP of Worldwide Buyer Risk Prevention at Amazon, about how scammers impersonate the platform, Amazon's efforts to combat holiday scams, and how you can protect yourself.

The most common Amazon impersonation scams

During the holiday season, Amazon, the world's largest e-commerce platform, becomes even more relevant. However, this also makes it a prime target for scammers who use impersonation scams to trick shoppers into giving away their card details or sensitive information.

According to Knapp, during the 2023 holiday shopping season, the most common impersonation scam reported by Amazon customers involved fake order or shipping confirmations requiring payment in the U.S. There was a 1.5x increase in reports of this scam compared to three weeks prior.

Another common impersonation scam during this time involves fake purchase alerts for popular tech products. According to Knapp, Amazon experienced a 13x increase in customer reports compared to three weeks prior.

What is Amazon doing to keep customers safe?

To keep Amazon customers safe from scammers, I wanted to know what measures the company is taking. I asked Knapp about the e-tail giant's strategies for staying ahead of the latest online holiday scams, and you can find his responses below.

What measures is Amazon implementing to remove fraudulent websites and phone numbers used in scams?

We aim to safeguard customers while shopping on Amazon by collaborating with public-private partnerships to eliminate scammers. Our team, comprising machine learning scientists and expert investigators, shields our platform and consumers from fraud and other forms of mistreatment.

"In 2023, we took down over 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 phone numbers used in impersonation schemes. We can remove reported scam phone numbers within the same day and phishing websites in just a few hours. We also collaborate with law enforcement worldwide to hold scammers responsible, including referring hundreds of bad actors to authorities."

Can you explain how Amazon's email verification technology helps identify phishing attempts?

"We have implemented industry-leading tools, including secure email capability, to make it easier for customers to identify authentic Amazon communications and avoid phishing attempts. Customers using Gmail, Yahoo, and other common email providers can be confident that when they receive an @amazon.com email with the smile logo in their inbox, it is truly from us."

Can you explain Amazon's A-to-z Guarantee and how it protects holiday shoppers?

Customers can shop in the Amazon store with peace of mind knowing that our A-to-Z Guarantee stands behind the products sold in our store.

Amazon employs advanced fraud and abuse detection systems and collaborates with independent insurance specialists to investigate claims filed by sellers. This process helps to validate legitimate claims and deny fraudulent or frivolous ones, saving sellers time and effort. This, in turn, enhances customer confidence in shopping on Amazon, leading to increased success for selling partners.

"Amazon guarantees the quality and timely delivery of physical products purchased in its store worldwide. In the unlikely event of issues with delivery or product condition, whether purchased from Amazon or one of its two million selling partners, Amazon will rectify the situation by offering a refund or replacement. Customers can shop Amazon's extensive product selection with confidence, knowing that they are protected by the A-to-z Guarantee."

How can Amazon customers stay safe?

Be cautious of red flags: Certain indicators of an impersonation scam include demands for personal information, such as account or payment details, and the creation of a sense of urgency. Amazon will never request your password, payment, or bank transfer through phone, email, or any external website. Scammers may reference a purchase (real or fake), a giveaway, a prize, or claim that "your account is locked," urging you to click a link, make a payment, or buy a gift card.

To verify the authenticity of an email related to an Amazon order, check your order history on Amazon.com or the "Amazon Shopping" app. Only legitimate purchases will be recorded in your order history. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email, review authentic communications through Amazon's website or app Message Center.

Original: "I have received an email from Amazon regarding my recent purchase." Rewritten: "I have been notified by Amazon about my recent order."

Be cautious of fraudulent links: Avoid clicking on unverified links, particularly in messages pertaining to shopping discounts, order verifications, or account problems. Scammers frequently employ counterfeit links to impersonate legitimate businesses and obtain your personal information.

Installing antivirus software on all your devices is the best way to protect yourself from malicious links, phishing emails, and ransomware scams, ensuring the safety of your personal information and digital assets.

I will provide you with my top picks for the best antivirus protection in 2024 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

Beware of "too good to be true" deals: Scammers often use tempting offers, such as discounts on popular products or exclusive deals, to lure victims. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. These offers may be linked to fake websites or phishing attempts aimed at stealing your personal and financial information. Before making a purchase, always verify the legitimacy of the deal. You can do this by visiting the official Amazon site or app to search for the product and compare prices.

Consider employing a data removal service to minimize your digital footprint and safeguard your personal information from scammers who may obtain it from online sources such as data brokers, people search sites, and public records. This measure can be particularly important during the holiday season when the risk of identity theft and scams is heightened.

Having a data removal service can be beneficial if you want to consistently monitor and automate the process of removing your information from numerous websites over an extended period of time. Here are my top recommendations for data removal services.

Reporting suspicious activity: If you come across an impersonation scam, your best action is to report it to Amazon. According to Knapp, "The more consumers report scams to us, the better our tools become at identifying bad actors, allowing us to take action against them and safeguard consumers. If you suspect you've encountered a scam, report suspicious communications to us at amazon.com/ReportAScam to protect your accounts and help us refer bad actors to law enforcement for the safety of all consumers."

Kurt’s key takeaway

Scammers may try to spoil your holiday season, but most of their tactics can be avoided with the right tools and a bit of common sense. Be wary of unsolicited messages, emails or phone calls offering deals, discounts or asking for personal information. If you're shopping on Amazon, use the app to track everything and contact their customer support for any issues or questions.

Please share with us at Cyberguy.com/Contact the features or tools you wish online retailers would implement to improve customer security during busy shopping periods.

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