True Crime: The Spam-azon Con

We share these true stories of member experiences to help you avoid falling victim to a scam. If you ever have questions about the validity of a request for money or information about your account, contact us.
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Dylan wanted to add new tunes to his workout playlist, but his Amazon music account wasn’t working. He called the help line number saved in his phone, and — to his disappointment — reached a recorded message about unusually long wait times. He hung up, searched online for “Amazon customer service”, and tried a different phone number.

Unfortunately, the phone number was fake, and the person who answered was not an Amazon employee...

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 The fraudster requested Dylan's card information so he could "test" whether his fix had worked. “Don’t worry if you see authorizations on your account,” the person told him. “They’re just tests. You don’t need to contact your bank or close your card.” Dylan complied.

You can probably guess what happened next: Dylan's playlist still needed updating, and a stranger used his account to purchase several fraudulent Amazon gift cards.

Don’t get played! Here are a few notes on how to avoid singing the blues:

• Don’t use a phone number you found through an online search, or that came to you in an unsolicited email or text. Instead, go to the company’s own website.
• Don’t let strangers access your phone. They can download software (such as a Western Union app) and use it to drain your account.
• If you give the numbers of a Google or iTunes gift cards to a con artist, they will use the information to deplete the cards' funds.

Trust your instincts. If a “company” calls you multiple times — often in an aggressive manner — with demands or requests, you’ve most likely become a target. If you ever have questions about the legitimacy of a request, hang up the phone, call us at (802) 657-6847 or toll-free (800) 660-3258 and we’ll help. We’re here to keep you and your money safe. Visit our Security page for more tips on keeping your accounts secure.