Amazon’s Customers Latest Target for Phishers

Online retailer of books, DVDs and CDs Amazon.com is the latest target for phishing scammers. Fraudsters are sending e-mails purportedly from amazon.com and are designed to steal personal information from the recipients.

The e-mail arrives from delivers@amazon.com and appears legitimate. It starts by offering the recipient best wishes for 2009 and then says that the time is set for new beginning and fresh start.

The e-mail also says that the message aims to make an abuse-free and secure shopping condition and is being sent to keep the probity of Amazon's system intact. However, it asks the recipient to confirm his/her account information, arguing that by providing the information, Amazon could keep records up-to-date. This would improve the functioning of the store, detect and prevent fraud or exploitation of its marketing site as well as help third parties in conducting the logistical, technical and other functions for Amazon.

Additionally, the scammers attempt to convince the victims that Amazon would take drastic step of terminating their accounts if they don't confirm their payment card details immediately. However, Amazon has said that it is not involved in the e-mails in any manner.

According to a Amazon spokesperson, Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk do not have any policy to request customers for their credit card numbers over electronic mail, as such form of communication does not ensure security. Moreover, Amazon said that it is concerned about the impact of the particular e-mail and the misuse of its name and so it is currently probing into the situation.

Meanwhile, Amazon cautions its users that they must not give out any personal information in response to the message particularly debit/credit card numbers. Also, they should not open any attachment or click on any link within a spam since it could load a virus on their computer.

Amazon also recommends that users visit Amazon's website for its 'phishing page' to know more about spoof e-mails and phishing targeting Amazon customers. This page could also be used to report any questionable e-mail, according to the retailer.

Related article: Amazon.com Hit by New Phishing Scheme

» SPAMfighter News - 1/16/2009