Scots shopping Amazon Prime Day warned of fraudsters using AI scams
Scots shoppers have been warned of fraudsters using AI to create sophisticated online scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day.
Criminals are using cutting edge technology to create realistic phishing scams and automated calls that make it harder to spot fraud.
Charity Advice Direct Scotland has warned of a surge in scam messages about fake Prime membership renewals, bogus refund and scam calls claiming your Amazon account has been hacked.
Scammers are expected to target bargain hunters looking for deals during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis during Amazon Prime Day - which runs from Tuesday, July 8, to Friday, July 11, this year.
Figures revealed Scots have lost a staggering £860,000 to cyber criminals in the past year amid a tenfold surge in online scams.
Fraudsters impersonating Amazon, claiming expensive items like iPhones have been ordered and asking for personal or banking details to 'cancel' the transactions.
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Others send robocalls claiming your Prime subscription will auto-renew unless you press a button, a move that tricks folk into handing over sensitive info.
Some victims have also been duped into downloading software that gives scammers remote access to their device, including access to bank accounts.
Advice Direct Scotland stresses that Amazon will never call to ask for remote access or to install apps.
If you receive suspicious calls, texts, or emails asking for personal information or payments, do not respond.
The charity advises people to stay vigilant and, if a call appears suspicious or raises concern, to hang up immediately and contact your bank or card issuer directly.
Scots are also being urged to avoid impulse buying and check prices to make sure they are getting good value.
Consumers should be aware of Amazon's guidance on returning faulty goods and claiming refunds to protect themselves if a purchase goes wrong.
Free and impartial advice is available across Scotland from Advice Direct Scotland's consumeradvice.sco t service.
Help can be accessed by freephone on 0808 164 6000 or online via web chat and email at www.consumeradvice.scot.
The ScamWatch Quick Reporting Tool is also available to report suspected scams at www.scamwatch.scot.
Hazel Knowles, senior project lead for Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'With households across Scotland still facing huge financial pressures because of the cost of living and energy crises, it is understandable that people will be hunting for genuine Prime Day deals.
'But criminals are also looking for opportunities and now they have AI to help them sound more believable than ever.
'It can be easy to get caught out, especially if a call or email seems urgent and official. But the best advice is to take a moment, trust your instincts, and check before you buy or click.
' Amazon will never ask for remote access to your device or for payment details over the phone or email. If something feels suspicious, it probably is, and our expert team is here to help if you are unsure.
'Anyone who is caught out by a scam or spots a suspected scam should report it using our free ScamWatch tool at www.scamwatch.scot.'
Figures published by Advice Direct Scotland in June show digital scams have surged by over 1,000 per cent since 2021, with reported losses totalling £861,384 in the past year.
Cases include romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, phishing emails with fake deals, and false social media adverts pressuring victims to hand over money, bank details or personal information.
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