Gmail and Outlook users warned to delete this threatening message pretending to be Amazon

GMAIL and Outlook users have been warned to delete a threatening message pretending to be from Amazon.

The alert was issued after a scam email was sent out which appears to suggest customers’ online accounts have been frozen until further action is taken.

The email appears to have come from an official Amazon account

In an image, first shared by The Express, the note looks to have come from an official Amazon web address.

The scam email goes on to say the user’s Amazon account and “all pending orders” have been locked.

It states: “We have taken this action because the billing information you provided does not match the information on file with the card issuer.”

PHISHING EMAIL

The email then asks the Amazon user to verify their billing name, address and phone number.

It adds: “If we cannot complete the verification process within 3 days, all pending orders. [sic] will be canceled.”

Amazon says: “A phishing email appears to be from a reputable source, but in reality it is sent from an outside party attempting to access your personal information by getting you to open an attachment containing malware or click on a link that redirects to a potentially dangerous website.”

The online retailer tells customers to not open “any attachments or click any links from suspicious emails or text messages.”

“Suspicious or fraudulent emails, text messages, or webpages not from Amazon.com may contain requests to update payment information that are not linked to an Amazon order you placed or an Amazon service you subscribed to,” they add.

REFUND SCAM

Shoppers were last week warned of a refund scam that sees hackers pretend to be employees.

That came after an elderly couple from Louisiana reportedly lost $60,000 of savings from their bank account via an internet fraudster. 

According to Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard, the pair were contacted online by an alleged Amazon agent – who claimed that they had been hacked.

“The hacker was able to hack into their bank account, take the 60 thousand out of their savings and put it into their checking,” he explained.

“They were not aware of it until the second time, and they contacted their bank.”

The hacker reportedly claimed to send the wrong amount of money, causing the couple to send money to the agent through the mail.

The individual then pleaded with the vulnerable couple that he would be fired if the so-called mistake was not rectified – adding that they deposit the cash immediately.

To conclude they were then issued with a fake arrest warrant from Louisiana State Police via email – which accused them of money laundering.

POLICE WARNING

It prompted Chief Broussard to issue a warning to shoppers of the presence of hackers during the festive period – adding emphasis on the importance of cyber-security.

“Hackers are getting a lot better. First thing to remember is that state police are not going to send a warrant over email,” said Broussard.

“It’s bad enough that they’re taking funds from people who work all of their life to earn this and to save this, but you’re sinking to a new low when you’re going to involve law enforcement in your actions.”

“There are grinches all over wanting to steal the Christmas spirit, so we just have to make sure we don’t let them in any shape or form,” he added.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU GET A SCAM EMAIL?

If you receive an email or phone call that claims to be from Amazon, don’t click on any links, call the numbers, or give out important information.

Log into your Amazon account and click on “Your Orders” on the upper right-hand side of the toolbar under Account & Lists.

You’ll see all the purchases made on your account to see if there are ones you don’t recognize.

If you have questions, be sure to contact Amazon directly through the website.

The Sun has contacted Amazon for comment.