How to avoid the Amazon trap.
Amazon’s position as the largest online marketplace in the world also means that it attracts a huge number of scammers and loafers. Although the service has many built-in protections, it cannot keep track of everything outside.
There are many scammers on Amazon who will take your money instantly. Find out what are the signs of a scam on Amazon and the steps you can take to protect yourself from this scam.
The Most Common Amazon Scams and Warning Signs
There are several types of scams that appear more frequently on Amazon than others. Look for red flags to avoid falling prey to these tricks.
Suspicious payment schemes
If you find a product on Amazon that you want to buy, but the link redirects you from Amazon to complete the purchase, this is a scam. Not only does this violate the terms of service that sellers agree to when registering with Amazon, but it is a huge flashing neon sign indicating a scam.
If a seller asks you to leave Amazon in order to make a purchase, you can be sure that this is a scam or a phishing attempt. Even if you don’t, if you make a purchase from anywhere other than Amazon, you will lose access to all buyer protection (and refunds) you might otherwise have.
Avoid Big Discounts
You know the old adage, “If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is.” If you see a PlayStation 5 on sale for $ 50, ignore the temptation to click the link. If you get anything at all after your purchase, it won’t be a PlayStation.
Huge discounts on items that are selling at a much higher price elsewhere indicate that the seller is trying to persuade you to buy impulsively. Take a moment and take a close look at the branding in any images. Most likely, it will be something like “PlaStation” – not “PlayStation”. An off-brand item that looks just like the real thing except for careful examination.
Payment confirmation emails
Many shoppers receive emails similar to those from Amazon that say something like, “Your payment could not be verified. Update your billing information. ” It will provide a link that takes them to a site that looks a lot like Amazon, but it really isn’t.
This is another classic phishing attempt, but done so well that it is almost indistinguishable from the real one. As a general rule, never update your billing information from the link in the email. Instead, log into your Amazon account in a secure browser and change the details there.
Beware of long delivery times
Amazon is a site where shoppers expect almost instant delivery. If you don’t get something within two days, it seems like it’s too long. It’s worth noting that Amazon doesn’t pay sellers right away – in many cases, a payment transfer takes 14 days or more.
If you spot a seller with an abnormally long delivery time, this could be a sign of fraud. If this delivery time is more than two weeks, it is most likely trying to wait for payment to arrive and then cancel the purchase.
Beware of new sellers
While Amazon may be home to millions of different seller accounts, Amazon has a robust security system that filters out most scams. If an account receives multiple negative reviews, Amazon will quickly block it.
With this in mind, many scammers use multiple accounts. Keep track of the age of the account, as well as the reviews. If this is a new account, be careful. The same if there is no seller reviews.
On the other hand, it is also a warning sign if there are too many seller reviews. Whole companies exist for the sole purpose of posting fake reviews on Amazon. If all the reviews seem too good to be true, buy with caution on this account.
What to Do If You Are Scammed on Amazon
Unfortunately, anyone can fall victim to a scam. It doesn’t matter how careful you are – sometimes it just happens. Maybe you were in a hurry or just clicked in the wrong place. Regardless of what happened, there are certain actions you can take.
The first step is to contact Amazon support. You can send an email or contact the company via live chat. Provide as much information as possible about what happened.
In most cases, Amazon will reimburse you for any costs. Your Amazon dashboard will provide you with a receipt and information about the date and time of your purchase.
The next step is to report a security issue. While this will most likely be done automatically when you file a fraudulent report, it doesn’t hurt subsequent actions. If you have provided the seller with information that could potentially identify you, please inform your financial institutions that they fear fraud.
You should also monitor your email for any unofficial messages from Amazon. If you receive a message from a scammer, do not reply; instead, send an email to Amazon and report it.
Avoiding fraud is not always easy. No matter how many protections are put in place, scammers find ways to get around them. The best way to avoid being scammed is to be wary of any purchases you make. Pay attention to the listing and avoid impulse purchases if possible.
Using basic online safety tips will help you avoid falling prey to the most obvious scams. Take your time shopping and only buy from trusted sellers. Amazon is basically a secure platform – a few bad apples won’t necessarily ruin your experience.
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How to avoid the Amazon trap
How to avoid the Amazon trap