Scam Amazon Email! Beware.

Posted by: Blueknowz on 30 July 2010

Dear Amazon Account Holder,

Please take the time to read this message - it contains important
information about your Amazon.com account.
At Amazon, we routinely perform reviews of orders and customer
accounts to protect our customers.

Due to regular account update/verification, you are required to
update/verify your account. This process will take you 5 minutes to
complete and involves logging in and confirming your account with Amazon.

You will need to complete the attached application form. Download the
attached form with this email and complete the form.

====================================================

If you received this notice and you are not the authorized account holder,
please be aware that it is in violation of Amazon policy to represent
oneself as another Amazon user. Such action may also be in violation of
local, national, and/or international law. Amazon is committed to assist
law enforcement with any inquires related to attempts to misappropriate
personal information with the intent to commit fraud or theft. Information
will be provided at the request of law enforcement agencies to ensure that
perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we work together to protect
your account.

Sincerely,
Amazon Account Review Department
Amazon Company
Posted on: 30 July 2010 by Dungassin
I actually opened a spam type message today, because it seemed to have come from one of my friends. Needless to say the content immediately told me it hadn't. I've emailed him to tell him to run the appropriate software to debug his PC. I ran my antivirus scan etc immediately after opening the false message, BTW.
Posted on: 30 July 2010 by Blueknowz
Dugassin,This came with a link address which obviously I did not click.
Posted on: 31 July 2010 by rodwsmith
There is a MUCH more sophisticated Amazon one doing the rounds which purports to notify of a "delay on your order" and then details something that - obviously - you haven't ordered, but otherwise looks exactly like the email you would receive from Amazon in such circumstances. There is a natural tendency to correct the fact that you haven't ordered this by clicking on the link in the e-mail. It doesn't even invite you to, it's just there.

I'm sure I would not have entered any details had I clicked on it, as the link itself was not a recognised amazon suffix, but in all honesty the only/main thing that made me wonder about the veracity of the e-mail was that the "order" was in the wrong currency.

Has anyone else had this? Beware anyway, it's massively more convincing than any other I have ever seen.
Posted on: 31 July 2010 by droodzilla
Hi Rodswith

Yes, I had that one a couple of months ago. I order a lot from Amazon, so it was extremely plausible. I can't remember what aroused my suspicions, but I didn't click on the link in the e-mail. Instead, I logged into my Amazon account to check my orders, and saw that none of them had been delayed.

I had a very poor spoof e-mail this week that purported to be from HSBC, but had none of the branding in the e-mail - just a plain white background. Clearly some scammers just can't be bothered to make an effort!
Posted on: 31 July 2010 by Geoff P
quote:
I had a very poor spoof e-mail this week that purported to be from HSBC, but had none of the branding in the e-mail - just a plain white background. Clearly some scammers just can't be bothered to make an effort!

THose come from real optimists. Even the ones with logos are soo obvious.

They always appear in my Junk folder anyway but the hilarious thing is they all come from banks I have never done business with. My bank ( I am keeping that secret) has never appeared. It is now almost a monday morning task to delete the scam e-mails.

I also love the ones suggesting they need your help claiiming an enormous inheritannce for which the will pay a % commmision to you that equates to a small fortune in itself.

These Amazon ones ARE more sophisticated. Did any of you guys report them to Amazon and if so what were there comments.

regards
Geoff
Posted on: 02 August 2010 by Paper Plane
quote:
These Amazon ones ARE more sophisticated. Did any of you guys report them to Amazon and if so what were there comments.


I reported the 'sophisticated/delayed order" one and they, the real Amazon, were helpfula nd appreciative.

steve
Posted on: 03 August 2010 by Right Wing
quote:
Originally posted by Geoff P:
quote:
I had a very poor spoof e-mail this week that purported to be from HSBC, but had none of the branding in the e-mail - just a plain white background. Clearly some scammers just can't be bothered to make an effort!

THose come from real optimists. Even the ones with logos are soo obvious.

They always appear in my Junk folder anyway but the hilarious thing is they all come from banks I have never done business with. My bank ( I am keeping that secret) has never appeared. It is now almost a monday morning task to delete the scam e-mails.

I also love the ones suggesting they need your help claiiming an enormous inheritannce for which the will pay a % commmision to you that equates to a small fortune in itself.

These Amazon ones ARE more sophisticated. Did any of you guys report them to Amazon and if so what were there comments.

regards
Geoff


Dear Geoff

There is a website somewhere that shows various famous scams were the intended victims respond to such claims, eventually fooling them into losing their own money.

In short:

the intended victim wrote back to one of the scammers offerring a euro milliions jackpot thanking them for their kind offer. the clever guy writing back did so in the name of Derek Trotter, from Trotters Independent Traders, he even mentions his brother Rodney in the letter (all is on the site) LOL.

"Derek" wrote back informing the scammer that his company can help him make serious money by sending various wood carvings (locally made by the scammer, at his cost). Derek implies that the potential auctions for such carvings can be of considerable value.

Finally in a nutshell: derek convinces the scammer that he is going to make good money. derek manages to get the scammer to send out various carvings all at the scammers cost, taking the piss out of the scammer every step of the way.

Hilarious.

I will try and find it, it is very, very funny.

Regards