Manitoba RCMP have issued a warning over an email scam targeting Amazon customers.
Police say they have received about emails they had received regarding suspicious purchases they did not make. Much like a standard Amazon confirmation email, the notice contained details like the cost of the purchase and a shipping address.
When a person clicks on the ādetailsā button, the emails direct them to a fake Amazon login page designed to steal usernames and passwords. If that information is entered, it could potentially allow users to steal credit card information, police say.
RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre says that although similar reports come in year-round, online shoppers need to be extra vigilant during the holiday season when they are more likely to be shopping online.
āThey're hoping maybe to catch some unsuspecting victims maybe just not paying attention and hoping just to get those credit cards,ā Manaigre said. āAnd then from there they make their illegal purchases,ā he added.
Manaigre says that vigilant Amazon shoppers should keep a lookout for odd URLs and email addresses attached to those messages.
One of the emails took users to a webpage with the URL āeditorscuttv.us.ā A legitimate Amazon webpage would have a URL that includes amazon.com or amazon.ca.
āSome of the words arenāt spelled properly in (the) English language, so that should be a giveaway,ā he added.
Hank Venema of Winnipeg is an avid Amazon shopper. The 51 year old worries heās clicked on scam emails in the past, but he now makes sure to check the URLs.
āItās convenient but thereās risk,ā he said of online shopping.
Manitoba RCMP say that anyone who suspects they have received a scam email should report it online or by phone to the .
Donāt login to any account pages unless you navigated there directly. aware of scam email being sent with false Amazon order information, where recipients are directed to fake login page that would provide scammers with login & possible credit info
ā RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb)
