Amazon Prime Day 2019: Scammers should be aware of

• Amazon parades 48 hours offer for Prime Day 2019, but experts say everything that internet traffic will also attract scammers who want to steal shopper's information.
• Consumers looking for a bargain should check if emails they allegedly received from Amazon actually came from the dealer.
• Shoppers should consider using two-factor authentication and virtual private networks to ensure that the information is encrypted and secure.

Amazon Prime Day started Monday morning with 48 hour deals for tens of millions of consumers who are Amazon Prime members, but cyber security experts say the increase in internet traffic will also attract scammers who want to steal data and debit cards. details.

"Consumers should continue with caution," said Monique Becenti, product and channel expert at SiteLock, in a statement. "A labeled discount shopping holiday means there's a great chance for cyber criminals to try to steal information."

Shoppers should consider adding extra security such as two-factor authentication and virtual private networks, making it harder for scammers to steal your data. Scammers usually auction personal information to criminals on the dark path. In the wrong hands, the information can be used by hackers to access other logins, such as bank accounts, increasing the risk of stolen assets and identity theft.

Here are four scammers who should be watched on this year's Prime Day July 1[ads1]5 and 16:

Spoofed sites

Shoppers should access Amazon.com directly from their browser, rather than by email or link, experts said. That's because scams can redirect consumers to sites designed to resemble Amazon, but are actually fake and set up to steal your credit card data. If you come across a forged Amazon website, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

"If something doesn't look right, it's probably not right," SiteLock said.

Customers who use two-factor authentication on Amazon (which you can turn on here) will be asked for their details before moving on to the site. If they do not receive the regular query, it is a red flag that the site is not authentic.

Malicious coupon code redirects

Amazon offers coupons on Prime Day, which means that some scammers will copy this technique in the hope that customers click on their fake discount offers. Be careful with email messages, including coupons that promise steep Prime Day discounts because these coupons can redirect buyers to a counterfeit site. When the shopper tries to complete a fake purchase, scammers can collect a lot of personal information.

Gift Card Scams

Another common scam involves Amazon gift cards. Con artists usually contact the victims on the phone to convince them that they owe a debt and then instruct them to buy Amazon gift cards online or at a nearby pharmacy. Scammers will require the victim to give the claim code on the gift card and then disappear.

Email Phishing Marketing Campaigns

Shoppers should be alert to fraudulent emails. Con artists will create emails that claim to be from Amazon or another trusted site, but ask consumers to reveal their social security numbers, tax IDs, or bank account numbers. However, Amazon will never request such sensitive data by email.

Fortunately, it's a quick fix. Always check the source of the email address for the @ amazon.com email address. If the e-mail address comes from another sender, it must be flagged and immediately reported to the FTC.