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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Levi Winchester

Amazon Prime shoppers warned over fake websites that can drain your bank account

Amazon Prime shoppers are being urged to beware of fake websites that are designed to steal your money.

Cybersecurity experts at Trend Micro revealed screenshots from two fake sites that look very convincing.

The first webpage invites the user to click and claim an “absolutely free” prize, complete with an Amazon Prime logo and picture of Amazon packaging.

The second screenshot shows a website that has been designed to look like a genuine Amazon page - but if you enter any of your details, they’ll go straight to scammers.

It isn’t just your bank account details that fraudsters can use.

Personal information like your address and phone number can also be used to impersonate you, or be sold on the dark web.

The team at Trend Micro warned they usually spot a rise in scams around Amazon Prime Day, which is taking place July 11 to 12.

The experts wrote: "This year, Prime Day will run over two consecutive days.

"No doubt readers are excited to catch some great deals – but you’d be wise to watch out for scammers [looking to] cash in on Prime Day too.

"The aim of these fake websites is to steal your sensitive credentials, with which scammers can commit cybercrime such as identity theft and/or monetary theft."

They added: "Our researchers have detected over 100 malicious URLs purporting to be Amazon Prime Day websites, since late June.

"Readers should also be on the lookout for phishing attempts via SMS text messages."

Before making a purchase this Prime Day, make sure you're purchasing from the official Amazon website by checking the URL.

Tell-tale signs of a scam website include a lack of reviews for a product, spelling mistakes, and deals that look too good to be true.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

If you think a scammer has got hold of your bank details, contact your bank straight away.

You can call the 159 hotline, which will connect you to your bank.

Passwords that have been leaked or compromised should be changed immediately.

Make sure you report scams and fraud to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or through the Action Fraud website.

If you're in Scotland, report a scam through Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or on the Advice Direct Scotland website.

You can also report scams to Police Scotland on 101.

For scam emails, forward them to report@phishing.gov.uk, and for scam text messages, forward them to 7726 for free.

If you suspect a scammer is calling you, hang up immediately and search for the contact details online of the place you're supposedly being called from.

Never call back the number provided by the caller.

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