Attention, Amazon Prime members: Did you buy anything on Prime Day? If so, you might want to check your email.
Unfortunately, I’m not here to tell you there’s a freebie or special deal just because you bought 200 plastic to-go containers for $4. I’m here to tell you you’re being targeted.
A new phishing email is going around, Delish reported on Aug. 23, and it’s aimed at people just like you. Read this before you open it and put your personal information at risk.
How This Amazon Email Scam Puts You at Risk
The email looks official and promises victims a $50 bonus for reviewing their Amazon Prime Day purchases.
However, upon clicking the link, victims land on a fake Amazon look-alike website that asks for their login information.
Kim Komando, a consumer technology expert, told Delish these types of fake emails can lead to malware or ransomware on your computer. Both can encrypt your sensitive information, making it inaccessible.
Even worse, ransomware can freeze your entire computer and demand you pay a fee to unlock it. Sometimes even after paying, you still won’t be able to access your files.
How to Protect Yourself From Amazon Scams
This isn’t the first time scammers have targeted Amazon customers.
The open online marketplace makes it hunting grounds for all types of criminals, including fake sellers who steal your money.
To protect yourself from internet scammers, Amazon offers a few tips on what fake emails often include:
- Order confirmations for purchases you didn’t make.
- Requests for your username and/or password or other personal information.
- Links to websites that look like Amazon, but aren’t.
- Attachments that ask you to install software on your computer.
- Typos or grammatical errors.
- Forged email addresses that make the email look like it’s coming from Amazon.
If you think you’ve received a scam email, Amazon asks you to immediately contact stop-spoofing@amazon.com and include the scam email as an attachment.
As for the other scams out there, just remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Kelly Smith is a junior writer and engagement specialist at The Penny Hoarder. Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, one of the largest personal finance websites. We help millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. In 2016, Inc. 500 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the No. 1 fastest-growing private media company in the U.S.
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