Amazon scams are on the rise - here are four ways to avoid them

The two scams are called ‘Prime membership scams’ and ‘Account suspension/Deletion scams’.

Tech platform BettingApps has highlighted a huge spike in searches for various terms related to these scams as well as revealing what each scam entails, and how customers can be vigilant whilst shopping on Amazon.

A spokesperson for BettingApps said said: “UK Google searches for ‘Amazon prime scam’ have surged over the past 24 hours.

“It is important to be aware that Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information for products or services over the phone.

“The only legitimate way you should verify your Prime Membership status or make payments is through logging into your Amazon account and performing this online.

“If you aren’t sure about a recent text, call or email, visit the Message Centre on Amazon.co.uk or on the app to review authentic emails from Amazon.”

Prime membership scams:

Prime membership scams are unexpected calls, texts, or emails that refer to a costly membership.

Scammers will prompt a fee or an issue with your membership and will ask you to confirm or cancel the charge.

The aim behind this scam is to convince you to provide payment or bank account information in order to reinstate a membership.

Account suspension/Deletion scams:

Account suspension or deletion scams are when scammers will send texts, emails and phone calls stating that your account will be suspended or deleted.

These will include a prompt to click on a fraudulent link or verbally provide information to “verify your account”.

Customers who land on these pages or receive these phone calls are lured to provide account information such as payment information or account login credentials.

UK Google searches for ‘Amazon text scam’ have surged by 733% over the past week.

Amazon will never ask you to disclose your password or verify sensitive personal information over the phone or on any website other than at Amazon.co.uk.

Therefore, it is important that you do not click on any links or provide your information to anyone over the phone without authenticating the email or phone call- no matter how legitimate they may sound.

If you aren’t sure about the status of your account, go directly to Amazon.co.uk or on the app to view your account details.

The Message centre will display a log of communications sent from Amazon officially.

Generally, those shopping online should always beware of phishing emails, asking you to provide personal information or click on suspicious links.

Always check the sender's email address and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

There is a way you can watch out for suspicious links buy hovering your mouse over the links before clicking on them to see the actual URL. Often, scammers use deceptive links to redirect you to fake websites.

Finally, be cautious with personal information and remember that Amazon will never ask you for sensitive information like your password, or credit card details through the phone or via email.

If anyone requests this information, it's likely it is a scam.”

Here are some additional tips from Amazon to help identify scams and keep your account and information safe:

1. Trust Amazon-owned channels.

Always go through the Amazon mobile app or website when seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account.

2. Be wary of false urgency

Scammers may try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they're asking. Be wary whenever someone tries to convince you that you must act now.

3. Never pay over the phone

Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information, including gift cards (or “verification cards,” as some scammers call them) for products or services over the phone.

4. Verify links first

Legitimate Amazon websites contain "amazon.co.uk" or "amazon.co.uk/support." Go directly to our website when seeking help with Amazon devices/services, orders or to make changes to your account.