Amazon Scam Alert
Well done yet again John, our super vigilant and diligent crimewatch news reporter. He has sent me details of another scam for you to be aware of. Not specifically Chester related only, but no doubt people in Chester may have been targeted. This time we should be aware of an Amazon Scam Alert.
Read more below…..
Amazon Scam Alert
Here’s the message, short and not so sweet. Click the link to the BBC news article as well as this is well worth watching.
Amazon Scam Alert – Be Aware!!!
“A new scam that we have been made aware of is:
You will have received a voice message left on your answer machine saying it is from Amazon who are going to be taking money out of your account. Do not press any numbers, just ignore, as an officer has spoken to Amazon and they have confirmed that this is a scam.
Message Sent By Hannah Templeton (Police, Community Support Officer, Chester)
Below is a classic recent example of this scam explained on BBC News Northern Ireland 17 September 2019
Scammers empty £25,000 from woman’s account https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49733823“
Amazon Scam Alert – Add This To Your List
This latest Amazon scam alert comes on top of so many scams. We’ve been notified of things like an Ebay scam; a TV licence scam; an HMRC scam; bogus accident claim scams to name just a few.
Whatever the scam, the overriding message in all of these messages is not to engage in a conversation with these scammers. Or follow any messages they may leave in a voicemail.
From my own point of view, what I tend to do when I see a call coming through on my mobile that I don’t recognise, is that I don’t answer. I then see if they leave a message. If it’s a message from someone I recognise, then not a problem. Anything else check it out before doing anything else. More often than not a scammer won’t leave a message. But if anyone you don’t know leaves a message, check it out first.
I make a note of the number and search for it on Google.
If it is a scam number, invariably it will appear in one of the scam number message boards you will find on the resulting Google search. And if it does, I then go back to my phone and just block the number. I’ve managed to filter out loads and loads of numbers doing this.
Yes, the scammers may try ringing you from another number again, but at least you will have blocked one of the numbers and this one won’t pester you again.
If they do try a new number, same as above and rinse and repeat.
You can do the same with a landline. See the number displayed. If you don’t recognise it, follow the steps above. I also don’t answer a “Private Number” call. Again, if it’s important from someone you know, they will leave a message.
As always, please spread the word where you can about this message. It goes without saying that it is such a shame that these scams exist. It does make you think how some people sleep at night.
Amazon Affiliates
As the article says be very aware of any phone calls purporting to come from Amazon. In a similar fashion be careful of buying Amazon products from another website.
In order to be accepted as an affiliate of Amazon’s, a website owner has to apply and wait to be approved before they can promote Amazon products on their website.
If accepted and if you do promote Amazon products, a website owner will have to display an Amazon Associates disclosure statement. This statement confirms the links are legit and when clicking through from the links on a website to take you through to Amazon itself, the clickthrough is to the safe and secure Amazon marketplace.
Shopping Safely
So, if you are buying from Amazon via an independent website, make sure you see the disclosure statement on their website.
And with Christmas coming up so many people will be buying from Amazon. So, as I say (hint…..hint….) if you happen to be on an independent website and you fancy doing a bit of secure online shopping without having to leave a quality independent website, like a local news and information website for instance, you can do so with confidence. The double whammy benefit as well is that (hint…..hint) that said website will receive a small commission for promoting that sale.
Even if you don’t want to buy the item displayed, by clicking safely through to Amazon, you can search for your required product then. Simples!!!!
Just thought I’d mention it in case (hint……hint) you come across such a website.
Chester Crimewatch
Seriously though, this is yet another very important message for you to be aware. This Amazon scam alert is yet another addition to our Chester Crimewatch category. To see what else you should be aware of, have a look HERE.
Thanks yet again John for this Amazon scam alert – much appreciated.
