Holiday Scam Targets Amazon Shoppers
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- With the holidays coming, it's the perfect time of year for the latest scam.
It targets people who have ordered something on Amazon.
"So many people right now are using Amazon," said consumer advocate Mary Bach of Murrysville.
So many people are using Amazon that, for scammers randomly sending out an email, the chances are very good that they're actually going to get some people who have ordered via Amazon.
The email instills a little nervous twinge if you're counting on a certain gift.
"The email says basically that there is a problem in processing a specific order," said Bach.
The scammer gets you when you take the next step.
"They then need to click on to a specific link which is in the email, and that's where the problem is."
The phony link asks for credit card or bank account information, and when you're done: "Then they somehow are linked and allow you to go back to the actual Amazon homepage or webpage."
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So victims may not realize there's anything wrong until scammers use their information to steal from them.
Bach says there are some red flags.
First, don't click on a link in an email like this, instead, she says: "Go back to the original Amazon site. Your original order and follow the directions on their site for checking on your particular order."
She also says make sure you're dealing with a site that has http-"s" at the beginning of the address.
"Because that means that it is a secure site."
Amazon has a section of its site dedicated to helping you avoid scams.
AARP has written about this particular scam, and Bach is involved with that group.
She encourages consumers with questions to call AARP's Fraud Fighter Call Center at: 1-877-908-3360.