RCMP warn of email scam targeting Amazon users

WINNIPEG (CityNews) – Manitoba RCMP are out with a warning for Amazon users just days before Christmas.

The scam starts with an order confirmation email that shows up in the subscribers’ inbox.

The details inside the email look legitimate — showing what was purchased, where it will be sent, the total cost and a clickable button to confirm the order details.

A common reaction for most is to click the link, as it appears it is not something they purchased nor is the mailing address correct.

If the intended victim clicks on the link, it will take them to an external address where they are asked to enter their email address and password for their Amazon account.

But entering that information sends the login details to the scammers who sent you the initial email.

RCMP say it’s important to look at the URL that shows up in the navigation bar and it is clearly not an Amazon site.

Investigators say that if you entered your information, you should contact Amazon and your financial institution immediately.

If you receive the email, it’s advised you report the email to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre either online or by phone.

Here is a list of clues provided by the RCMP to detect if an email is a scam or not:

• Link to a suspicious URL
• An unrecognizable email address from the sender (if you are on a mobile device, you will often have to actually click on the sender to see the entire email address come up)
• Spelling mistakes
• Odd spaces and dashes