Amazon is alerting its 300+ million customers to a surge in impersonation scams exploiting the holiday shopping season. Cybercriminals are using fake alerts, malicious links, and deceptive websites to steal personal and financial data from unsuspecting shoppers.
The Threat: The scam operates by sending fraudulent notifications—often disguised as legitimate Amazon communications—that trick users into clicking harmful links. These links lead to fake websites designed to harvest sensitive information, including credit card details and account credentials. The Asbury Park Press first reported on the threat, with Amazon confirming the issue in a November 24 email.
Rising Numbers: The scale of the problem is significant. According to FortiGuard Labs, over 700 malicious holiday-themed domains have been registered in the past three months alone. These sites use keywords like “Christmas,” “Black Friday,” and “Flash Sale” to appear legitimate, preying on shoppers seeking deals.
Common Scam Tactics: The scam manifests in several forms:
- Fake Messages: Scammers pose as Amazon support, claiming account issues or urgent delivery problems.
- Unrealistic Deals: Deceptive third-party offers on social media lure victims with prices that are too good to be true.
- Direct Requests: Fraudulent actors directly solicit payment or account details through unofficial channels.
What This Means: The rise in these scams highlights a growing trend of cybercriminals exploiting major shopping events. As more consumers turn to online deals, they become increasingly vulnerable to phishing attacks. The high volume of legitimate Black Friday traffic provides cover for malicious actors, making it harder to distinguish scams from genuine promotions.
Amazon urges customers to remain vigilant. The best defense is caution: always verify links before clicking, and never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited requests. The holiday season is a prime time for scams, and awareness is critical to protect against fraud.
Consumers should be extra cautious during this peak shopping period; these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect.
