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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*

July 15, 2024




*Media Contact:
*Danny Wimmer <[email protected]>






AG Nessel Urges Consumers to Stay Vigilant Against Scams During Amazon Prime Day?

*LANSING* - With Amazon Prime Day fast approaching on July 16th and 17th, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding consumers to stay vigilant as the shopping event also attracts scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting customers.?

"Amazon Prime Day may be a great opportunity for deals, but it?s crucial to stay alert against scams and predatory practices,? Nessel said. ?By being aware and taking simple precautions, you can protect yourself and enjoy a safe shopping experience.??

*Tricks and Tactics Designed to Make Consumers Spend More*?

Online retailers often employ ?dark patterns [ [link removed] ]? to manipulate shoppers? emotions and insecurities. Nessel, the Federal Trade Commission, and 16 other state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Amazon, [ [link removed] ] alleging that the company degrades the customer experience by replacing relevant, organic search results with Amazon?s own products and paid advertisements over ones that Amazon knows are of better quality. To avoid falling for these tactics [ [link removed] ], consumers should: ?


* Make a shopping list and set a budget before browsing Prime deals;?
* Confirm all models and items before purchasing;?
* Pay close attention to the return policies; ?
* Place items in their carts instead of using the ?Buy Now? functionality to ensure the best deals; and?
* Compare prices with competitors.?

*Bogus Reviews*?

Some products may have numerous positive reviews that are not genuine or are AI-generated [ [link removed] ]. Consumers should: ?


* Conduct their own research of products and third-party sellers;?
* Check reviews for products on other sites; and ?
* Pay more attention to verified Amazon reviews. ?

*Phishing Emails and Smishing Texts*?

Scammers may send phishing emails [ [link removed] ] and smishing texts [ [link removed] ] that appear to be from Amazon, offering exclusive deals or alerting consumers to account issues. These messages are designed to steal personal information. Before falling victim, consumers should: ?


* Always check the sender?s email address;?
* Verify any claims by logging into their Amazon account directly through the official website; ?
* Not reply to suspicious emails or texts or click on links or attachments; and?
* Use an email spam filter and a built-in mobile spam-blocking tool.?? ?

Phishing emails can be reported to the Anti-Phishing Working Group <[email protected]>. Smishing texts can be reported by forwarding them to SPAM (7726). Both can also be reported to the Federal Trade Commission [ [link removed] ].?

*Website Spoofing*?

Be on the lookout for websites mimicking [ [link removed] ] Amazon?s look and feel, which may advertise deep discounts to steal payment information. Consumers should ensure the websites they visit start with ?https://? and include ?amazon.com.? Tools like Google?s Safe Browsing tool [ [link removed] ] can help consumers determine if a website is real or legitimate. ?

*Fake Customer Support*?

Michiganders should scrutinize calls alerting them [ [link removed] ] to suspicious activity on their Amazon account and avoid giving out personal information. Amazon will never send unsolicited messages asking for sensitive information.? ?

Any customer who receives a questionable call from a person impersonating an Amazon employee should report them to Amazon customer service [ [link removed] ] and Michigan's Robocall Crackdown Team [ [link removed] ].?

To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:?

Consumer Protection Team [ [link removed] ]?
[ [link removed] ]P.O. Box 30213?
Lansing, MI 48909?
517-335-7599?
Fax: 517-241-3771?
Toll free: 877-765-8388?
Online complaint form [ [link removed] ]?

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Michigan Attorney General ? G. Mennen Williams Building, 7th Floor?? 525 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30212 ? Lansing, MI 48909?? 517-373-1100