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FRAUD TIPS
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SCAM OF THE WEEK: You Should Rethink This Refund
FEBRUARY 26, 2026 | Knowbe4.com
In this week’s scam, you receive a text message that appears to be from Amazon. The message claims that an item you bought was of poor quality or has been recalled. It also states that Amazon will provide you with a full refund and a free replacement of the item, and provides a link for you to select to view additional details.
However, this is a smishing (text phishing) scam! The link in the text message doesn’t direct you to the actual Amazon website. Instead, it takes you to a fake page that looks like a real Amazon login page. If you try to log in with your Amazon account credentials, cybercriminals will steal them immediately!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to this smishing scam:
- You should never select any links in an unexpected text message. If you do receive a suspicious text message, be sure to report it!
- If you believe there’s an issue with one of your Amazon purchases, open the official Amazon app on your phone or navigate to the official website and contact their customer support.
- Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it usually is! In this case, scammers are trying to trick you into selecting a malicious link by offering you a “free” refund.
