Scots shoppers have been urged to be on their guard against online scams as Amazon Prime Day approaches.
The online retailer is hosting their annual event on July 16 to 17 and will offer punters massive savings on top brands.
But a Scots charity is urging would-be shoppers to remain cautious when shopping and to beware of fake deals presented through phising emails, texts and phone calls.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues, Advice Direct Scotland, has warned that fraudsters are using new tactics to target bargain hunters.
The charity has handled a number of cases from across Scotland recently where people received calls from seemingly local telephone numbers claiming to be from a ‘bank security service' or ‘Visa security’, mentioning payments related to Amazon.
Similar calls, warning consumers of ‘suspicious’ transactions on their bank accounts, ranging from £300 to £1,300, have been reported in Aberdeen, the Borders, Edinburgh, Fife, the Highlands, North Ayrshire, and West Dunbartonshire.
Advice Direct Scotland say that genuine banks never make unsolicited calls to request your PIN, full password, or money transfers to other accounts. They advise Scots to stay vigilant, and if a call appears suspicious or raises concern, to hang up and contact the bank or card issuer directly.
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The charity has issued key tips for online shoppers, including: creating a strong password, research retailer efore buying, check for fake reviews and to use a credit card if possible as it may be easier to get your money back if something does go wrong.
Hazel Knowles, senior project lead for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “It’s important for shoppers to check who they are buying from and ensure that their purchases are safe, providing value for money. Fraudsters are always on the lookout for opportunities to deceive you.
“The key advice for consumers is to be savvy, slow down, and check before you buy.
“Make sure you’re on the real Amazon website as well, as there may be links that take you to a site that looks similar to Amazon but isn’t the real thing.
“Anyone who is caught out by a scam or spots a suspected scam should report it using our free scamwatch tool.”
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