Amazon Scam

H

homesickblues

Well-known member
Hi, Yes it happened to me, probably think im stupid but I will share just in case it happens to you.
So I get a phone call form Amazon saying there had been some suspicious activity on my account. Asked me to take a look and there was 2 iphones in my basket that I had not put there. He said could I log in and delete them from my basket, which I did and they disappeared. All well and good I thought and he said I would get another call in an hour to confirm it was secure again. I got that call and again there were items in my basket that i had not put there, vouchers for Adidas. Again he asked me to delete them which I did. This time somehow by deleting them i must have made the payment. I dont have the vouchers and im down £800.
Im trying to explain to amazon and my credit card co but its so difficult.
Just beware folks.
(and yes im officially stupid)
 
Jedi boro said:
Thx for the heads up but honestly NEVER take anything for granted over the phone.

My advice if you get a call like that say you don’t have Amazon or a pc or broadband etc see how they react.
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I’d also add it’s best to use multi factor verification for any site that allows it and or use an Authenticator app on your phone paired with Face ID or a pin it’s quick and easy and makes your account so much more secure. Especially where you have bank cards saved like Amazon / eBay / PayPal etc. it takes away their ability to hack or steal your password.
It’s scary how often people try and log into accounts, using an authenticator you get a notification straight away and can block it.
 
Sounds like your Amazon account got hacked. Change your password on your Amazon account ASAP and if you use any other accounts with the same password then change them too. Ideally use a different password for every account you use. Password managers are great for remembering them.

As Priv says, always use 2 factor authentication on any account that allows it to add an additional layer of security.
 
Is this all that happened or did they direct you to a website? If they had access to your account to add things to your basket, I don't know why they would need to call you? Or did they talk you into giving them a code that amazon sent to you, which may have been part of a security check if they already had access to your account?

If they did talk you into installing any software or visiting separate sites, your PC is likely compromised and may still be. Usually they do this by installing anydesk, which lets them control your PC.
 
Capybara said:
No you aren't at all. Some of these scammers are very convincing. It's why they do it. They are scum, that's the point.
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They totally are. Utter scum





I'd recommend a programme called Scam Interceptors on BBC (there are episodes on iPlayer) - it gives actual recordings of how the scammers try and cause misery, and a few tips on not getting caught out

I always forward the texts to 7726 , and the multitude of emails to report@phishing.gov.uk


Sorry this happened to you @homesickblues
 
Scammers are absolute scum of the earth. Reading the story they must some how directed to a site as the OP mentioned about have 2 x iphones in basket. They them tricked them to log in their account, and if that most probably revealed the login details they they got access to the real account and what ever cards stored on there am guessing.

Be interesting to know what shows on the OP statement name for the money taken, as he not officially done any checkout.
 
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ThatFragranceGuy said:
Is this all that happened or did they direct you to a website? If they had access to your account to add things to your basket, I don't know why they would need to call you? Or did they talk you into giving them a code that amazon sent to you, which may have been part of a security check if they already had access to your account?

If they did talk you into installing any software or visiting separate sites, your PC is likely compromised and may still be. Usually they do this by installing anydesk, which lets them control your PC.
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Scam Interceptors have shown them asking victims to give a code from a text (which really authorises the fraudulent transaction) and the instruction to download Anydesk (that lets them see your phone/computer)
 
ThatFragranceGuy said:
Is this all that happened or did they direct you to a website? If they had access to your account to add things to your basket, I don't know why they would need to call you?
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A common trick they use is they say they want to know that it’s the account holder they are speaking to so tell them that they will send them a code which they want them to read back.

What they can do with this code is use it to change passwords, bypass 2 factor authentication or make purchases etc…

This is why I never use SMS as an authentication method for my accounts. If you are given the choice always use Authentication Apps instead. Some websites only give you SMS as an option but most give you Authentication Apps as an option.
 
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homesickblues said:
Hi, Yes it happened to me, probably think im stupid but I will share just in case it happens to you.
So I get a phone call form Amazon saying there had been some suspicious activity on my account. Asked me to take a look and there was 2 iphones in my basket that I had not put there. He said could I log in and delete them from my basket, which I did and they disappeared. All well and good I thought and he said I would get another call in an hour to confirm it was secure again. I got that call and again there were items in my basket that i had not put there, vouchers for Adidas. Again he asked me to delete them which I did. This time somehow by deleting them i must have made the payment. I dont have the vouchers and im down £800.
Im trying to explain to amazon and my credit card co but its so difficult.
Just beware folks.
(and yes im officially stupid)
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You are NOT stupid and thanks for sharing
That could very easily happen to anybody.
 
Fat_Dragon said:
A common trick they use is they say they want to know that it’s the account holder they are speaking to so tell them that they will send them a code which they want them to read back.

What they can do with this code is use it to change passwords, bypass 2 factor authentication or make purchases etc…

This is why I never use SMS as an authentication method for my accounts. If you are given the choice always use Authentication Apps instead. Some websites only give you SMS as an option but most give you Authentication Apps as an option.
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I know, I work in fraud - that's why I'm saying did they direct him to do anything or install anything as he didn't mention anything along those lines.
 
If an incoming call say they are eg your bank they have a way of changing the number they are actually calling from on your phone screen to the bank number (must be illegal?). When they say why they are calling say ' Ok thanks I'll ring back'. Any genuine bank staff will be fine with that - if they try and stop you and keep you on the phone that's a sign they are not genuine
 
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TeessideCleveland said:
If an incoming call say they are eg your bank they have a way of changing the number they are actually calling from on your phone screen to the bank number (must be illegal?).
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Number spoofing is only illegal if you intend to scam someone using it but lots of companies use it legally on a daily basis as part of their operations.
 
Davey_C said:
Im getting notifications more and more with my halifax credit card where i have to enter a pin number from a text message before the transaction takes place

One way of stopping these ba$tards
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Same here, I trust the Halifax and their protection procedures. I've just paid a builder £700 and they asked me 'are you sure it's not a scammer' which it wasn't but happy for them to ask me them sort of questions.
 
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