Scam Alert: Do Not Call “Amazon Billing and Fraud Prevention” or “An Apple Advisor” if Asked in a Phone Message

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The Amazon billing and fraud prevention scam is back in full force, along with the Apple advisor “your iCloud account has been breached” scam. These scams rely on the facts that millions of people shop on Amazon every day, so you are likely to be one of them, and that millions of people have Apple iCloud accounts whether because they have an iPhone, or a Mac, or something else (ditto).

The Amazon call generally says something like “Calling from Amazon customer support this is to notify you regarding your today’s purchase on Amazon dot com. You have been charged (some amount) on your default card saved on Amazon dot com. If you have made this purchase on Amazon dot com and recognize it then simply hang up the call and your order will be delivered to you. However if you have not made any such transaction you then immediately call Amazon billing and fraud prevention Department on the toll free number which is 866-312-7655. Again the number is 866-312-7655.” Other numbers that the calls come from include 415-275-9097, and other numbers that targets are told to call include 866-498-4734.

As with the Amazon scam, the Apple “your iCloud account has been breached” scam also starts with a recorded message; this message tells you that the call is from Apple and that they have noticed suspicious activities in your iCloud account. The pre-recorded message says “We have detected suspicious activities in your iCloud account, your iCloud account has been breached. Before using any Apple device please contact an Apple advisor. Press 1 to connect with Apple support advisor. Press 2 to listen to this message again. Or if you wish to contact us later please call us on our toll-free number 208-262-0000. Thank you.”

The thing is, sometimes these calls sound as if they could be legitimate, at least legit enough to make you wonder. So what should you do in that case? First, you should always simply hang up on them; if the call went to voicemail, ignore and delete it. Then, if it’s a call supposedly from Amazon, log in to your Amazon account and check your account there. If the call is supposedly from Apple, log into your iCloud account.

As with so many of these scams, the scammers rely on your not thinking about the fact that Amazon and Apple will almost never call you. Still not convinced? Then go ahead and Google the number that you are supposedly supposed to call. If the number doesn’t immediately show up at the top of the search results as Amazon or Apple’s actual number, congratulations, you’ve just confirmed that it’s a scam. Thank yourself for not falling for it.

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But what if you did fall for it? In that case, immediately log into your Amazon or Apple account, and change the password. Then follow the instructions here for Amazon, or here for Apple.

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4 thoughts on “Scam Alert: Do Not Call “Amazon Billing and Fraud Prevention” or “An Apple Advisor” if Asked in a Phone Message

  1. 8/29/22-someone is trying to “frame” ME for fraudlent. It seems they have access to my Amazon account and have entered fraudulent request for refunds on items that I have purchased. I can’t find a legitimate number or address or email to contact Amazon. My letters have gone unamswered/ Where can I find a legitimate department address( not headquarters) and/or email address? I May not get the email as my pc may be hacked also. a response on this site may help.

  2. I believe this is a scam that I just received today:
    From: 2393729533
    The call and your order will be delivered to your address in to the three days. However if you have not made any such transaction you then immediately call the Amazon billing and Fraud Prevention Department on the toll free number which is 866-466-2137. Again the number is 866-466-2137.

  3. I believe someone is trying to buy apple products on my account. Please call me at 8432242420 to confirm any charges, thank you

  4. I believe an attempt to scam me for personal information was done this a.m. I was contacted by unknown caller and then called back on 720-642-5854 with instructions to instally anydesk and grant permission for them to ‘fix’ the $1000 charge on my account from a Baltimore location. I did not install the software or give out financial information but I did give my name only before realizing it may be a scam.

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