Scam Alert: Fake Amazon Prime Calls Rake in £400k from Victims
Fraudsters Ring Up with Shocking Claims
Criminals are hitting the phone lines hard with automated calls claiming you’ve been charged for an Amazon Prime subscription. The message warns that your details have been used fraudulently and prompts you to press 1 to cancel.
Pressing 1 Connects You Straight to Scammers
But beware – pressing 1 puts you in touch with a fraudster pretending to be an Amazon customer service agent. They claim your subscription was unauthorised and insist they need remote access to your computer to “fix” the issue.
Victims are urged to download Team Viewer, a remote access app, and log into their online banking while connected. This gives the crooks full access to personal and financial details, leaving victims wide open to plunder.
£400,000 Lost So Far – Don’t Be Next
Since September, Action Fraud has logged 200 reports from victims who lost money to this scam – a total exceeding £400,000. Another 300 people received the call but thankfully didn’t fall for the trick.
Some victims are also told they’re due a refund on their Amazon account, another tactic to lure them in.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never install software or give remote access following a cold call.
- Be suspicious of unsolicited requests for remote access – it’s a major red flag.
- If in doubt, hang up and contact Amazon directly through official channels.
Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, warns: “Unsolicited requests to remote access your computer should always raise a red flag. It’s okay to stop the discussion if you don’t feel in control.”
If you’ve been caught out or want to report suspicious calls, contact Action Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040 immediately.
