Our Risk Management Team has been made aware that an Amazon Update Payment Information Email Scam has recently resurfaced.

The fraudulent emails notify you that there was an issue with the billing information on an Amazon order you recently placed and, as a result, your Amazon account and all pending orders have been placed hold.  There is a link within the email that directs you to “Update Now.” When clicked you are brought to a phony Amazon site asking you to enter personal information, such as your billing name, address and telephone number as well as your debit or credit card information, so the order can be processed.

The phony Amazon site even reflects the same ‘Save & Continue’ button that appears on the legitimate Amazon website. Once the ‘Save & Continue’ button is clicked you will be redirected to the genuine Amazon website. The fraudsters use your personal payment information to make fraudulent purchases.

As a best practice it is encouraged to navigate directly to the website anytime you receive an email containing a link rather than using the link within the email to bring you to the page.  Amazon is encouraging their customers to log into their Amazon accounts directly from the home page and go to the “Your Orders” tab to validate any changes or updates to a particular order. You can also view and update your payment information under “Your Account.”  If you aren’t prompted to update payment information on the Amazon site, then the alert you received by email is fraudulent.

According to their site, “Amazon will never send you an unsolicited e-mail that asks you to provide sensitive personal information like your social security number, tax ID, bank account number, credit card information, ID questions like your mother’s maiden name or your password. If you receive a suspicious e-mail please report it immediately.”  Emails can be sent as an attachment to stop-spoofing@amazon.com.

If you do happen to click on the link and/or give personal information out, contact us and/or review materials at the Federal Trade Commission.