Authorities are warning the public to be careful about texts impersonating Amazon and offering refunds.
“Scammers are pretending to be Amazon again,” the Federal Trade Commission said in a recent news advisory. “This time, they’re sending texts claiming there’s a problem with something you bought.”
The agency said the scammers ask users to click a link for the refund “but it’s a scam.”
What Is the Amazon Refund Scam?
According to the FTC advisory, recipients receive an “unexpected text that looks like it’s from Amazon,” claiming the “company did a ‘routine quality inspection’ and an item you recently bought doesn’t meet Amazon’s standards or has been recalled.”
“The text offers you a full refund and says you don’t need to return the item — as long as you click a link to request your money back,” the advisory says, adding there is no refund, and the link is instead a “phishing scam” to steal money and personal information.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed
The FTC recommends keeping the following in mind to avoid getting scammed:
Don’t click links in unexpected texts or respond to them. If you think the message could be legit, contact the company on a verified phone number, email, or website, not the information from the text.
Check your Amazon account through the app or website for more information to see if there’s a problem with or recall on anything you’ve ordered. Don’t use the link in the text.
Forward unwanted texts to 7726 (SPAM) or use your phone’s “report junk” option. Once you’ve reported it, delete the message.
The FTC also encourages the public to report scams to the agency at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Additionally, Amazon has information on its website about how to identify a fake text message.
What to Do if Your Information Is Compromised
If you accidentally clicked the link and fear your personal information has been compromised, the FTC recommends taking the following steps to secure yourself and your information:
Alert bank and credit card companies and freeze all accounts immediately
Change passwords for any potentially affected accounts
Keep an eye out for any suspicious charges and be ready to dispute them
If you gave a scammer your Social Security number, visit IdentityTheft.gov to see what steps can be taken, including how to monitor your credit
Report the scam to the FTC
Contributing: Greta Cross, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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