Have you received a text that says your Amazon or PayPal account is suspended due to unusual log-in activity? Hold on and don’t click anything yet – its’ a SCAM!

We’ve discovered a wave of phishing attempts in which scammers pose as Amazon and send people text messages with malicious links. They falsely claim that you have to verify your account via the attached link, or your Amazon account will be terminated.

If you fall for it and do as instructed,  you will be taken to a fake Amazon website that requires you to submit log-in credentials and other personal information. Once the scammers have got their hands on that, they will be able to commit other crimes — in your name! Read on for some examples:

#1 – Amazon

Unknown Log-in Attempts

SMS Scam Content:

• Notification We’ve suspended your Amazon due to unusual activity. Login attempt from: [ 58.30.57.191 – Brunei ] DeviceL Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 7.5) Our system has been locked your Amazon account To unlock your Amazon account, please verify your identity below : <URL> You need to verify your account before 26 Jun, 2022 or your Amazon account will be terminated

Another example – log-in attempts from Russia?

Billing Issues

SMS Scam Content:

• Notification From Amazon: We’ve locked your Amazon account due to a billing issue. To unlock your Amazon account, please click link below: <URL> Please take action on your account within 48 hours to avoid permanent suspension. Regards, Amazon Service

#2 – PayPal

Unknown Log-in Attempts

Billing Issues

SMS Scam Content:

• we’ve suspend your pαypαl accοunt due to billing issue.we weren’t able to process billing payment due to a problem with your card. this means your account are on hold. to update your pαypαl account, please verify with link below: {URL} you need to take action within 24 hours before account will be suspended. regards, pαypαl teams

Again, these attached links will take you to a fake PayPal log-in page. Don’t give out any personal information here!

How to Protect Yourself

• Double-check the sender’s mobile number/email address.
• Turn to official websites to confirm any details regarding your account.
• NEVER click links or attachments from unknown sources. Use Trend Micro ScamCheck to detect scams with ease!

Trend Micro ScamCheck is a browser extension and mobile app for detecting scams, phishing attacks, malware, and dangerous links — and it’s FREE!

Check out this page for more information on ScamCheck.

As ever, if you’ve found this article an interesting and/or helpful read, please do SHARE it with friends and family to help keep the online community secure and protected.