Scots warned over Amazon Prime Big Deal Days scams

Glasgow, Scotland – October 03 2024:

Scottish shoppers have been urged to be on their guard against scams as Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days approaches.

Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer advice service consumeradvice.scot, has encouraged customers to stay safe while shopping online and be aware of fake deals presented through phishing emails, texts, and calls.

The charity is also reminding shoppers of the risk posed by the growth of AI-powered scams, as these schemes become more sophisticated and difficult to detect.

Prime Big Deal Days is being held on Tuesday, October 8, and Wednesday, October 9, with major discounts available across the site.

Criminals often take advantage of such promotions to lure victims with offers that appear too good to be true, aiming to steal both their money and personal information.

Scammers commonly impersonate Amazon in emails, claiming to be alerting recipients about account issues.

For example, some messages claim a temporary hold has been placed on the account, stating that pending orders have been cancelled due to incorrect billing information. Recipients are urged to click a link to ‘verify their account’ within three days to avoid further order cancellations.

Another scam email may mention an expired payment method for Amazon Prime membership, prompting recipients to update their details via a provided link.

Additionally, scammers may create bogus websites impersonating Amazon, so shoppers should check for misspelled or slightly different domain names.

Previously, one of the main signs of a digital scam was poor spelling or grammar.

But now, scammers can use AI platforms like ChatGPT, which employ natural language processing to create human-like dialogue, making their messages more believable.

They can also use AI image generators to create fake celebrity endorsements that appear real.

Advice Direct Scotland has issued key tips for online shoppers, including:

• Create a strong new password for your Amazon account that cannot be easily guessed from personal information, such as birth dates or address locations.
• Before buying, research the online retailer to ensure that it is legitimate and read their returns policy to understand your rights.
• Avoid clicking on products with no reviews and check for fake reviews. Scammers can artificially boost product ratings by posting fake positive reviews.
• Use a credit card if possible, as it may be easier to get your money back if something goes wrong. If you don’t have a credit card, online services like PayPal can protect your bank details.
• Be savvy – if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Scots have also been encouraged to avoid impulse buying and check they are getting value for money by comparing prices of items available elsewhere.

Consumers should also ensure they are aware of Amazon’s own guidance for the return of faulty goods and refunds to protect them in the event of a purchase going wrong.

Free, impartial and practical advice is available to anyone in Scotland through Advice Direct Scotland’s consumeradvice.scot service.

Consumers can seek help in a number of different ways: freephone 0808 164 6000, or online through web chat and email at www.consumeradvice.scot.

The simple ScamWatch Quick Reporting Tool is also available to report suspected scams and suspicious activity at www.scamwatch.scot.

Hazel Knowles, Senior Project Lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said:

“With the cost-of-living crisis affecting households across Scotland, it’s understandable that people will have their eye out for bargains during the upcoming Prime Big Deal Days.

“However, shoppers need to check who they’re buying from to ensure their purchases are safe and worth the money. Fraudsters are always looking for ways to deceive.

“It’s easy to feel rushed to buy when you see a discount, but time-limited offers can lead shoppers to ignore warning signs and get caught out.

“The key advice is to take your time and check before you buy. Make sure you’re on the official Amazon website, as links may lead to fake sites.

“If you need help, contact our advisers for free and impartial advice. Report any scams or suspicious messages using our ScamWatch tool at www.scamwatch.scot.

“Scammers are changing their tactics all the time, and AI is playing a big role.

“AI can make emails and images look more convincing, which makes spotting scams harder.

“Always stay alert and think twice before clicking on emails or ads. If you have any doubts, check with the original source before sharing personal information.”

NOTES

consumeradvice.scot is Scotland’s national consumer service run by the charity Advice Direct Scotland. Consumers can seek help in a number of different ways: freephone 0808 164 6000; and online, web chat and email at www.consumeradvice.scot Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.