Scam Alert: bogus text message about non-existent Amazon product recall, promising phony refunds
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning about a new scam involving fake texts claiming to be from Amazon, informing recipients that a purchased item has been recalled and offering a full refund. However, these texts are actually a phishing attempt to steal your money or personal information.
In these scams, the texts usually claim that a product you purchased failed a "routine quality inspection" or was recalled, offering a full refund if you click a link. But this link is a trap. To protect yourself, follow these steps:
- Never click on links in unexpected or suspicious texts. Legitimate companies like Amazon will not ask for personal or financial information via text or send unsolicited refund links.
- Verify recall or refund claims only by logging into your Amazon account directly through Amazon’s official website or app. Never verify such information through links in texts.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help your wireless provider block similar messages. This will help in reducing the number of scam texts you receive.
- Use your phone’s spam and message filtering features or third-party call-blocking apps to reduce unwanted texts. These tools can help in filtering out scam messages.
- Report the scam to the FTC so they can help investigate and warn others. You can report the scam by forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM), reporting it in your messaging app, or at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
By taking these precautions, you can help protect yourself from scams pretending to be from Amazon or other companies. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
The FTC provides additional information about the Amazon scam at this link: [FTC link]
Also, the FTC states that this scam is intended to steal money or personal information, and it is important to remain vigilant and cautious when receiving unexpected texts, especially those claiming a product recall or offering a refund.
Maintaining vigilance is crucial in today's digital world, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. As technology advances, scammers become more sophisticated in their tactics, like the recent Amazon phishing scam. To avoid falling victim to such scams, remember not to click on links in suspicious texts, and always verify any claim of a product recall or refund directly through your Amazon account on its official website or app.
