An Amazon imposter scam uses a fake iPhone purchase to try and obtain the credit card details of unsuspecting consumers. Here's what you need to know.
Scammers have been found to be impersonating Amazon and using claims of an Apple iPhone purchase to trick unsuspecting consumers into handing over personal and financial information. This is only one of many scams to be aware of when online shopping, but it is one worth knowing about. Here's how to avoid falling victim to the Amazon imposter iPhone scam.
With Amazon and Apple being such popular options for consumers, it's not surprising that they are both used by scammers. In fact, they can sometimes be used together to further appeal to and trick consumers. For example, there is the Amazon AirPods raffle scam, which looks to trick people by contacting them over a free pair of AirPods. In the case of the Amazon imposter iPhone scam, there are no rewards or winnings offered, but it’s just as much of a scam.
The Amazon imposter scam was first reported by the Better Business Bureau back in February of 2021. However, an April report by ABC Action News in Florida highlights that it is still in effect and a problem for consumers. In terms of the scam, consumers receive phone calls pretending to be on behalf of Amazon and advising of suspicious charges on an account. While the charges can be for a variety of items, the iPhone is specifically mentioned as a very common one. For example, the Florida report highlights the alleged purchase was for a $999 iPhone 12. The caller then offers to help protect the user’s account from the purchase by requesting credit card information and/or remote access to their computer. Either way, the goal here is to obtain personal information.
How To Avoid The Amazon Imposter iPhone Scam
The main way to avoid getting caught up in this scam is to be extra cautious when receiving phone calls like these in general. While Amazon could reach out in cases where it suspects a purchase was made fraudulently, the company is not going to ask for personal information, including credit card details, or for remote access to the user’s computer. Likewise, it is highly unlikely that Amazon will call the user to begin with. Instead, the company is much more likely to email them. Whether Amazon does call or email, someone from the company almost certainly wouldn't ask for any urgent actions. In other words, if the caller is asking for something to be done right now, then that should be a warning that it could be a scam.
But those aren't the only red flags to look for. As the FTC reminds, if someone misses a call and the number leaves a voicemail talking about this iPhone/Amazon scam, don't call the number back. Instead, visit Amazon's website, find the official customer support number, and call that to confirm if something is actually wrong with your account. Along with scammers asking for debit or credit card information, someone asking you to pay for something with gift cards is also a huge warning.
It is also worth keeping in mind that these imposter scams are not just a problem for Amazon customers. Similar to how an iPhone purchase might not be the only reason used to contact someone, other company names might also be used to gain trust with a consumer. It just so happens that Amazon and Apple are popular enough that they are being used frequently with this particular scam.
Next: How To Safely Scan QR Codes With iPhone & Android To Avoid Nasty Scams
Source: BBB, ABC Action News, FTC
