WARNING! Crooks at work.

[Cudedog]

Good morning, everyone.

Thought I would let everyone know that I have just now received a text message from the toll-free number 833 (not going to include the entire number).

Text message:

"Amazon: Your account is currently locked for security reasons. Please verify your payment information here:" [with a link I'm not going to post].

I immediately logged on to my Amazon account (using my computer, NOT my phone) and my account isn't locked (note: I have two-step verification on my Amazon account).

Had I "verified my payment information" (i.e., put in my personal information and credit card info) via this text link on my phone, I would now be in a world of hurt.

I have two "types" of Amazon accounts - the one where I order stuff, and my account where I publish my books. Amazon communicates with me via my private email account, NEVER via telephone.

Heads up, everyone! Take care! The scammers are out to get you.

Anne

[JudyJB]

I've had several phone calls supposedly from Amazon claiming that they are confirming the order of several electronic things--computers, iPads, phone, etc. Want to confirm delivery and the charge to my account of a couple of thousand $$. All fake.

[chalet05]

Been getting texts and e-mails like this for quite sometime. Also from delivery companies, bank accounts, etc.

Now getting strange texts I expect are porno but not opening them. Can’t be too careful these days

[Acadianmom]

I have been getting emails about my Amazon and Pay Pal accounts for a while. I don't have a pay pal account. And about accounts in banks I don't even use. I never open any of them. Now I have started getting text with something they want me to down load. Nope, not doing that either. I might answer a phone call from a local number if I'm expecting a call and they are usually about medicare or car warranties. I have voice mail and an answering machine so if it's important they can just leave a message.

Martha

[Bethers]

Same as all of you, I get a lot of these from supposedly PayPal, Amazon, various banks, etc. Texts, emails, etc. On the emails the body looks like a bad picture of you take time to look at it. And you can check the sending email which is always garbage. The crooks are obviously getting enough people to continue to do these.

Thanks for posting Anne. It's good to remind us all to keep our eyes open.

[MandysMom]

I get them too, and also block, delete and ignore. But one more useful step. Forward the fake Amazon stuff to: stop-spoofing@amazon.com
Amazon told me that when I couple of years ago got the first of those. They said they investigate each and if they get a certain number from a particular email (sent from), they then go after them. I suspect other large companies such as PayPal do the same,
Velda

[Colliemom]

I’ve been getting a lot of that junk too and my mantra is, don’t open it p, don’t answer it, just ignore it. After a while I found they don’t come around anymore. I know my accounts and I know that if I am not sure I can directly call the bank or the company itself to find out what’s going on. Better to be safe than sorry. Not answer calls from numbers I do not recognize either. I let it go to my answering machine and if it’s somebody who really wants me then they can leave me a message. Because of my hearing I have a close caption phone and that really is nice, because when I do get a phone call, I look on the the caller ID to see what the number is and if I do not recognize it I do not answer it. I let it go to my answering machine. Because it prints out my messages and conversations, I can read what it’s about and intercept the call if I want. I know that Robo calls ring about three times and stop, so I always let my phone ring a bell to see if it’s gonna go past the three wings. My answering machine kicks in at 5.

[retiredhappy]

Be especially careful if you're on Facebook. Just saw that ALL their information on ALL accounts has been hacked. I get them from Paypal all the time. I forward them to Paypal fraud department. I, too, usually don't answer phone calls if I don't recognize the name or number particularly if its out of my local area code. BUT, when I got my call from my same area code but no name I actually answered it. Fortunately I did cause it was a call giving me my 2nd Covid shot date. The scammers have a way of showing your local area code even when its not.