The festive season brings exciting deals, larger selections, and endless shopping opportunities. However, it also sees an increase in fraudulent offers and misleading messages spreading across various platforms. To assist customers in shopping confidently, Amazon urges everyone to remain vigilant and guard against dishonest actors who could spoil their online shopping experience. Whether it’s a notification about a “special festive deal,” an “urgent account verification,” or a dubious link claiming to be from Amazon or another retail site, shoppers are encouraged to pause before clicking, sharing, or making purchases.
In line with its dedication to customer trust and secure online shopping, Amazon India has teamed up with the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, to launch Scam-Free September. Together, they are conducting awareness campaigns on media and digital platforms to help customers spot scams early and shop confidently during the festive season. “Festivals should bring joy to your home, not stress. If you receive anything that makes you feel uneasy—like ‘act now;’ ‘pay a fee;’ or ‘confirm a strange purchase’—consider it a warning sign, not a reason to click.
Log into the Amazon app or website to confirm what’s legitimate, utilize our protections, and report anything suspicious so we can assist in stopping it for you and others,” stated Ashwini Samraj, Director of Public Relations & Communications at Amazon India. In 2023, two-thirds of scams reported globally by customers impersonating Amazon involved fake “order” or “account” issues. These impersonation scams often originate outside of Amazon’s marketplace—through email, text, messaging apps, or phone calls. Criminals pose as well-known brands or service providers to create a false sense of urgency, tricking shoppers into divulging sensitive information or making fraudulent payments. Scammers might claim that your account is “suspended,” that an “order” requires verification, or that you must confirm a “payment” immediately.
Their aim is to compel you to click harmful links, share login details, or make payments outside of Amazon. To stay safe, consider these quick verification steps: 1. Pause and Verify – Spend ten seconds before clicking any link or responding. 2. Check ‘Your Orders’ – Access the Amazon app or website. If it isn’t listed, it’s not genuine. 3. Remember – Amazon will never: o Request payment via phone or email o Pressure you to purchase gift cards o Ask you to install software for assistance.
Behind the scenes, Amazon has made substantial investments to thwart and disrupt criminal activities by enhancing email security, ensuring authentic messages display the Amazon smile logo in major inbox providers, and deploying teams of engineers, investigators, and machine learning scientists to safeguard the platform. In 2024, Amazon already initiated takedowns of tens of thousands of phishing websites and numerous phone numbers associated with impersonation schemes. When you shop on Amazon.in, you benefit from Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee. Amazon backs every purchase. If there’s an issue with delivery timing or condition, Amazon will rectify it. The safest and simplest approach is to begin and conclude your shopping journey through the Amazon app or website.
To secure your shopping effectively: Verify purchases within the app: Check ‘Your Orders’ in the Amazon app or website instead of responding to any message. Trust only official channels: Payments must occur in the Amazon app/website, never through bank transfers via random links sent to you. Ignore false urgency: Scammers exploit time pressure; you can neutralize them by taking a moment. Never pay with gift cards for support or “fees.” That is a common characteristic of scams. Contact Amazon directly through the app/website if you are uncertain. Avoid calling numbers from texts or search results. Report it: Customers can utilize Amazon’s self-service tool to report suspicious messages. Non-customers can email reportascam@amazon.com; phishing emails can also be forwarded to stop-spoofing@amazon.com.
Your reports assist Amazon in identifying malicious actors and taking necessary actions.