Amazon Issues Cybersecurity Warning to Customers
As the holiday season approaches, Amazon is alerting its vast customer base—over 300 million users—to remain cautious of cybercriminals posing as their representatives. Alarmingly, the FBI reports that these online scammers have compromised accounts, resulting in losses nearing $300 million this year alone.
Recently, the e-commerce giant sent out a warning indicating that these criminals are attempting to access sensitive personal and financial information, as well as Amazon account details.
The recent warning follows a release from the FBI, which revealed it has received over 5,100 complaints since January related to what’s termed “account takeover fraud.” This kind of fraud occurs when unauthorized individuals access and exploit accounts, leading to significant financial losses—more than $262 million to date.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the agency did not disclose specific companies affected by these scams.
Meanwhile, Amazon is sounding alarms regarding various common scams, ranging from fake delivery notifications to unsolicited technical support calls. The company has also cautioned users to be skeptical of social media advertisements that promise enticing Amazon deals or ask for account or payment information through unofficial channels.
Earlier this month, customers in the U.S. received this advisory, while those in the UK were informed just this week.
Amazon further recommends that customers utilize its mobile app and website for customer service inquiries only. Additionally, setting up two-factor authentication is strongly encouraged to enhance account security.
Furthermore, using a passkey for account access has been suggested as a precautionary measure.
In July, the company shared strategies to help users protect themselves from scammers who employ manipulative tactics to push customers into buying gift cards. According to Amazon, about two-thirds of scams reported tend to relate to orders or account issues.
The FBI has also urged consumers to consistently check their financial accounts, utilize distinctive and complex passwords, and steer clear of clicking on suspicious advertisements.
In a proactive move, Amazon blocked over 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 phone numbers tied to identity theft attempts last year.
