Stonecot Neighbourhood Watch

📣 Simple tips to spot impersonation scams when shopping on Amazon, but can also be useful for other websites you use to shop.

Example impersonation scam tactics that you could receive:

➡️Fake messages claiming to be about delivery or account issues.
➡️Third-party social media posts and ads with deals that seem too good to be true.
➡️Shop directly on the website or mobile app for authentic offers.
➡️Messages through unofficial channels asking for your password or payment information.
➡️Unfamiliar links asking you to verify your account credentials through fake or phishing websites. Amazon will never send emails asking customers to verify their account credentials.
➡️Unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from tech support or other agencies.

As the busy shopping season approaches, stay informed with these tips to help recognise impersonation scams - when a scammer pretends to be a trusted company and reaches out to try to get access to sensitive information like personal or financial information, or Amazon account details.

💡Tips to help stay safe:

Always use the Amazon mobile app or website for all your shopping needs, including customer service, account changes, delivery tracking, and refund status.
Remember, Amazon will never ask you to make payments or to provide payment information (including gift cards or wire transfers) for products or services over the phone.

Consider setting up 2-step verification when available to your online accounts to help prevent unauthorised account access. You can set up 2-step verification at amazon.co.uk/2SV.

Save time and stay secure using a passkey. It’s a safer way to sign in than using passwords and it works with the same face, fingerprint, or PIN you already use to unlock your device. Set up a passkey at amazon.co.uk/passkey.

Scammers might try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking. Be careful any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now.

⚠️Online safety advice - shopping 🛍️

We all know or have heard about someone who’s bought clothes, tech or even a car on the internet … only for it to never arrive. Sometimes it’s because of an admin error, but more often than not, they’ve been manipulated by a fraudster. Maybe it’s even happened to you. Buying online is convenient and often cheaper — but it’s also one of the biggest hunting grounds for fraudsters.

Ahead of Black Friday, why not take some time to read Get Safe Online's latest online shopping tips either via the leaflet attached or on our website:

Purchase Scams - Get Safe Online
https://www.getsafeonline.org/purchasescams/