Amazon sends urgent email to millions over stolen account details: 'Please do not click'

If you shop online, you probably know a thing or two about scammers who target clueless bargain-hunters on the Internet.

A mega online retailer Amazon has just issued an urgent warning to everyone who has an account with them. According to the company’s email alert, the digital thieves are ‘creative’ and never seem to run out of ideas for new schemes. Here are some of the safe shopping tips you need to know.

Meanwhile, DWP has just issued a warning over text messages promising 'fake' £750 cost of living payment.

Millions of Brits on benefitsare set to receive a 'bonus' from the Government later this year.

Also, struggling families could soon get £94 from the Household Support Fund, find out if you're eligible.

Amazon: shopping scams are on the rise

Retail giant Amazon sent out an urgent email alert to its UK customers warning them of the growing number of scams.

As the digital criminals are now trying to get full access to accounts and payment methods such as credit cards, falling for one of their tricks could prove costly.

The company said in an email:

Scammers are creative and they constantly devise new schemes, exploit new technologies and change tactics to avoid detection. Stay safe by learning to identify and avoid scams.

Amazon warned that the most common new tactics used calls, texts or emails in relation to Amazon Prime fee or an issue with your membership where people were asked to confirm or cancel the charge.

The scammers were also reportedly trying to convince clueless users to provide payment or bank account information in order to ‘reinstate a membership’.

They also used account suspension and deletion email threats, with links asking people to verify their cards on file. The unsuspecting users clicking on the links could find themselves on unofficial and insecure websites and at risk of getting their data compromised.

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Here is how to protect yourself from online shopping scams

Amazon reminded its users that it would never ask them for sensitive personal information over the phone or on any website other than Amazon.co.uk.

They wrote:

Please do not click on any links or provide your information to anyone over the phone without authenticating the email or phone call.

If you are a frequent online shopper, you need to arm yourself with some essential tips to avoid becoming a victim of cyber theft.

Don’t ‘buy’ false urgency as this is scammers’ go-to tactic. Think twice whenever a seller or service provider tries to convince you to ‘act now’.

Avoid paying over the phone, as Amazon would never ask for bank card or gift card details for products or services using this method.

Make sure to verify links. Go directly to the Amazon website when seeking help with the company’s devices, services, orders or to make changes to your account. Legitimate Amazon websites always contain ‘amazon.co.uk’ or ‘amazon.co.uk/support’.

Read more:

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Sources used:

- Mirror: 'All UK Amazon shoppers issued with urgent account alert - ignoring it will be costly'