Amazon Warns Users of Rising Phishing Scams for Holidays

Amazon has issued urgent warnings to its more than 300 million active users worldwide about a surge in phishing and impersonation scams as Black Friday and the holiday shopping season approach. The alerts, sent via email to U.S. customers on November 24 and to U.K. users this week, highlight cybercriminals' efforts to steal personal, financial, and account information by posing as the company or trusted entities.

The company described the scams as attempts by fraudsters to impersonate Amazon through various channels, including email, phone calls, text messages, and social media. Common tactics include fake notifications about delivery or account issues, third-party advertisements promising steep discounts, requests for payment details via unofficial links, and unsolicited technical support calls. Amazon emphasized that it never asks customers to provide payment or account information over the phone or through email verification requests.

Cybersecurity experts have corroborated the heightened risks. Officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported receiving over 5,100 complaints about account takeover fraud since January, resulting in losses exceeding $262 million. In...