Amazon Scams Involving Free Merchandise And How Consumers Can Protect Themselves

The landscape of online shopping has created opportunities for scammers to exploit consumers seeking free products or deals on platforms like Amazon. While free samples and promotional offers are legitimate marketing tools used by brands, fraudulent actors often mimic these opportunities to compromise personal information or conduct deceptive schemes. Understanding the distinction between authentic freebies and scams is essential for safeguarding personal data and avoiding financial loss. This article examines specific scams related to unsolicited packages, fake free offers, and other deceptive practices, relying exclusively on information provided in the source documentation.

The Amazon Brushing Scam

One of the most prevalent scams involving unsolicited merchandise is known as the "brushing scam." According to source documentation, this scam involves individuals receiving unordered packages from Amazon, often containing inexpensive items. At first glance, this might appear to be a fortunate occurrence of free products. However, the implications are serious. The victim of a brushing scam is not necessarily the recipient of the package, but rather the consumer who is later misled by fake reviews generated by the seller.

In a brushing scam, third-party sellers obtain a consumer's name and mailing address—indicating a breach of personal information—and use these details to purchase their own products. They then ship the item to the consumer's address. Once the item is marked as delivered, the seller uses the verified purchase to write a glowing, fake review under that consumer's name. This artificially inflates the product's rating and visibility on the platform.

The primary indicator of a brushing scam is receiving packages that you did not order and that are not gifts from anyone you know. Source documentation emphasizes that the receipt of such unordered merchandise is a "blaring alarm" that your personal information, specifically your mailing address and name, has been compromised. While the physical risk to the recipient may seem low, the presence of your information in such a scheme indicates a vulnerability that could be exploited for more serious fraud later.

Unclaimed Package Scams

Distinct from brushing scams, but often confused with them, are "unclaimed package scams." These scams do not involve the victim receiving a package unsolicited. Instead, scammers attempt to sell unclaimed Amazon packages to consumers. Source documentation explains that these scams typically appear as advertisements on social media or listings on other online marketplaces.

The listings often promise a "surprise assortment of items" or claim the package contains high-value goods worth hundreds of dollars, sold at a steep discount. The appeal of mystery and extreme savings is used to lure buyers. However, source documentation warns that these listings are rarely legitimate. The ads may use vague descriptions and rely on the allure of a "mystery box" to entice purchases. In reality, consumers may receive items of significantly lower value than promised, or nothing at all.

Red flags for unclaimed package scams include social media ads claiming to sell unclaimed Amazon packages or specific listings promising high-value items for a fraction of the cost. Consumers are advised to avoid purchasing these packages, as they are likely scams designed to take money without delivering the promised value.

Fraudulent Free Offers and Overpayment Scams

Scammers frequently use the promise of refunds or overpayments to trick consumers into revealing sensitive information. Source documentation details "overpayment scams," where an email purporting to be from Amazon claims the recipient has overpaid for an item and is due a refund. The email instructs the recipient to follow a link or call a phone number to correct the issue.

If a consumer follows these instructions, they are directed to a malicious website or connected with a scammer who uses social engineering tactics to extract personal information or financial details. Source documentation explicitly warns against clicking links in such emails or calling the provided numbers. The goal of the scammer is to steal information, not to issue a refund.

Similarly, "account issue scams" involve messages claiming there is "unusual activity" on the user's account. The message urges the user to contact customer service immediately to resolve the issue. Whether the instruction is to call a number or click a link, the intent is to obtain the user's account credentials or financial information. Source documentation notes that Amazon recommends logging in directly through the official app or website to check account status, rather than responding to unsolicited messages.

Impersonation and Phishing Tactics

Impersonation of legitimate entities is a cornerstone of many Amazon-related scams. Source documentation highlights that Amazon was the second-most frequently impersonated business in 2023. Scammers may pose as Amazon customer service representatives, drivers, or technical support.

• Customer Service Impersonation: Scammers may contact users via phone, email, or text, claiming to be Amazon support. They use urgent language to pressure the victim into revealing account details or payment information.
• Driver Scams: In this variation, a scammer sends a message claiming to be an Amazon driver unable to complete a delivery. The message usually includes a link to a phishing site designed to steal account and financial info.
• Alexa Scams: Scammers have been known to manipulate Alexa search results to direct users to fraudulent phone numbers when requesting customer support. For example, asking Alexa to call Amazon might connect the user to a scammer instead of the official support line. Source documentation advises verifying phone numbers independently before calling.

Package Status and Fraudulent Purchase Scams

Scammers exploit consumer anxiety regarding deliveries and account security through "package status scams" and "fraudulent purchase scams."

• Package Status Scams: These scams involve urgent messages claiming that a shipment is stuck, lost, or delayed. The message insists that the user must provide account information immediately to resolve the issue or risk losing the package and money. Source documentation states that the entire story is fake, though it may look and sound very real.
• Fraudulent Purchase Scams: In this scheme, the victim receives a message stating that a fraudulent purchase was made using their account. The message urges the user to click a link or call a number to resolve the matter. This is a double fraud: no purchase was actually made, and the scammer uses the interaction to steal the victim's information.

Protection and Reporting Measures

To combat these threats, source documentation provides specific recommendations for consumers to protect their data and report suspicious activity.

Protective Measures: * Ignore Unverified Communications: Do not trust emails, calls, or texts from unverified sources. Amazon will typically notify users of account issues through the app or website when they log in. * Protect Sensitive Data: Never share addresses, payment details, or Social Security numbers unless you are certain you are on a legitimate Amazon page. * Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding 2FA creates a barrier that prevents scammers from accessing an account even if they have the password. * Update Passwords: Periodically changing passwords helps prevent unauthorized access. * Install Antivirus Software: Protecting devices with antivirus software can reduce the risk of malware infection if a user accidentally clicks a malicious link.

Reporting Scams: Source documentation outlines the steps to report scams directly to Amazon: 1. Log in to the Amazon account via the mobile app or official website. 2. Visit the official customer service page. 3. Scroll down and select "Security & Privacy" from the left-hand menu. 4. Click "Report Something Suspicious." 5. Follow the instructions provided by Amazon.

When reporting, consumers should provide as many details as possible about the interaction. Additionally, source documentation notes that shoppers reported $19 million in losses to Amazon scams in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), underscoring the importance of vigilance and reporting.

Conclusion

While the prospect of free products or deep discounts is attractive, consumers must remain vigilant against scams that exploit these desires. The provided source documentation clarifies that unordered packages are a sign of compromised personal information rather than a lucky break, and that offers for "mystery boxes" or unclaimed packages are likely fraudulent. By understanding the specific tactics used by scammers—such as impersonation, phishing, and fake urgency—and by adhering to recommended security practices like enabling 2FA and verifying communications, consumers can better protect their personal and financial information while navigating Amazon's platform.

Sources

1. The Amazon Brushing Scam & How to Avoid It
2. Amazon Scams
3. Amazon Scams: How to Identify, Block, and Report them