Amazon. A new scam

It’s so easy to order on Amazon. Maybe too easy? Have we grown smug and just assume that the van man/lady who turns up at our door with regular parcels is automatically trustworthy? Cos after all, we DID order this, have been waiting for it, and are happy to see it arriving on the day promised.

A new scam with the more pricey parcels goes as follows.

Your order arrives and to validate delivery, the customer is asked to enter a six-digit code provided by the Amazon. This code is sent for more expensive orders such as iPhones or computers.

When the customer provides the code, the driver says it’s not working. After several unsuccessful attempts, the driver offers to come back at the end of the day after completing his round, giving the buyer time to check with the online store. The driver never returns.

In fact, the delivery driver only pretends to enter the code in front of the customer, but keeps it in order to validate the order him or herself a little later and steal the goods.

On receiving a complaint about this from a victim of this scam, Amazon directed the customer to their website….”Under no circumstances should you read this code to a delivery person who is not in front of you”.

But of course, the delivery driver was there face to face, pulling off the scam.

In reply to one victim, Amazon France wrote “I regret to inform you that in this case, as the single-use password was entered by the carrier, we are unable to refund your order”

Fortunately, the victim managed to get his money back by filing a complaint with the European Commission, (Click HERE to find out more about  this specific Amazon service) , and opening an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR).

He was reimbursed within three days.