People have been warned of malicious text messages pretending to be from retailer Amazon asking customers to log into their accounts, allowing scammers to access their details
Amazon account holders have been warned of a new text message scam from hackers trying steal their personal data.
Customers have reported receiving texts supposedly from the retail giant asking them to follow a link to secure their accounts after an attempted log in.
However once they log in the scammers are able to steal their personal information.
Consumer rights experts Which? have urged people to be aware, the Liverpool Echo reported.
An Amazon spokesperson told Which?: “These messages were not sent by Amazon.
“Scammers attempting to impersonate Amazon put our customers and our brand at risk. Although these scams take place outside our store, we will continue to invest in protecting customers and educating the public on scam avoidance.
“We encourage customers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.
“Please visit our help pages to find additional information on how to identify scams and report them.”
The consumer rights experts say one of the texts reads: “Amazon: We detected a login into your account from a new device on 27/09/2022 at 15:10:08 UTC. If this wasn’t you, you can terminate that session via: [https://checkup-amazon.com].”
Another text can say: “From Amazon – A new login has been attempted from IP address: 82.966.81.27 (Ipswich).If this was NOT you, secure your account immediately. [amazon-logins.com].”
When experts entered their details, they were taken to another “convincing” fraudulent webpage which asked for a name, date of birth, mobile number, home address and email address.
Which? has reported the fake URLs to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Meanwhile last month it was reported a notorious scam known as Hi Mum in which criminals posing on WhatsApp as loved ones in need had spread to text messages.
Consumer experts believe heartless scammers are continuing to prey on parents by impersonating grown-up children who send messages asking for money.
Earlier this year, Action Fraud warned that between February and June 2022 it had received 1,235 reports of criminals posing on WhatsApp as loved ones in need, amounting to a huge loss of £1.5m, the Daily Star reports.
The consumer experts first noticed the scam at the end of 2021 when a victim told them that a scammer impersonating his sister had a convincing conversation with her – which led to her transferring money for ‘car repairs’.
Those concerned they may have fallen victim to the scam should contact their bank straight away and report the scam to Action Fraud.
