AMAZ-OFF!
‘You can’t get your money back’ warns expert over simple Amazon scam that is ‘untraceable’
Never ignore four key safety rules
AMAZON shoppers are being warned over a sinister type of scam that's potentially "untraceable".
The con sees your cash vanish into thin air – and is both cruel and easy to execute.
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If you regularly buy products online, you're a prime target for crooks.
And according to Keeper Security, one key trick to conning victims is the "off-platform payments" scam.
It sounds technical, but it's actually a very simple way of tricking you into handing over cash to crooks.
"All official Amazon purchases are done on the platform," said Keeper Security's Tim Tran.
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"However, some fraudulent sellers on Amazon will try to get users to pay them off the platform and use payment methods such as Zelle, Venmo or a wire transfer.
"Cybercriminals want you to use these payment methods because they are fast and untraceable.
"These payment methods are not protected by Amazon, meaning you can’t get your money back if a seller turns out to be a cybercriminal."
It should raise alarm bells whenever any "seller" asks for you to pay using another method.
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They may also try to shift you onto another app for messages.
This allows crooks to conduct their sinister attacks without being caught by Amazon.
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So don't comply if an Amazon seller asks you to speak to them on WhatsApp, for instance.
How to stay safe from Amazon scams
If you're worried that you're being targeted by an Amazon scam, there are some safety tips you can follow.
Generally a scam involves trying to get you to hand over money or personal info – and sometimes both.
One good tip is to make sure that your Amazon account is secure.
That means choosing a strong – and totally unique – password for your account.
And turn two-factor authentication on, so a password alone won't let criminals log in.
That secures your account, but still leaves you open to personal mistakes.
So the second rule to follow is to never make any payments for Amazon products outside of the website or app.
"You should never pay for an Amazon purchase outside of the platform," Tim explained.
"Every official Amazon transaction is done on the platform to guarantee the safety of their users
" If a seller wants you to use payment methods off the platform, then you know the seller is a scammer and you should avoid doing business with them."
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Thirdly, make sure you're not clicking on any suspicious links that a seller has sent to you.
And finally, make sure to research sellers thoroughly before buying from them – don't risk sending your money to a crook.