Beware of how cybercriminals are using fake Amazon product recall emails in this phishing scam.
You receive an email that appears to be from Amazon. It states that an item from your recent order has a design defect that could be unsafe and instructs you to select a link to request a refund. The email doesn’t give any details about the product or the safety hazard, but if you’ve ordered from Amazon recently, you might be tempted to select the link to see if something you purchased is affected.
But this email is actually a phishing scam! Cybercriminals send these vague “product recall” emails to as many people as possible, hoping that you recently ordered something from Amazon and will impulsively follow their instructions. If you select the link, it leads to a fake Amazon login page. If you enter your login information, cybercriminals can gain access to your Amazon account!
Tips to Stay Safe
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a phishing scam:
- If you receive a product recall notice that appears to be from Amazon, don’t select any links in the email. Open the Amazon app or visit the official website to see if the recall is genuine.
- Be skeptical of any urgent email that’s vague about which product is involved or what the safety issue actually is. This lack of detail is intentional and is designed to trick you.
- Remember, cybercriminals use urgency to trick you. If you receive an email that pressures you to act quickly, always stop and think first!
Stop. Look. Think. And don’t be fooled.
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