Urgent Scam Warning for Texas, Louisiana Amazon Prime Customers

(KMDL-FM) If you are a user of the shopping service Amazon Prime, you may have gotten some emails recently. One of those was likely from the company, the other was likely from scammers pretending to be the company. If you are an Amazon Prime Member in Texas or Louisiana, we have confirmed that some of these emails have been sent to your accounts. Here's what you're looking for.

In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in the number of reports, according to Amazon, of members questioning a reported email sent from the company. Those sharp-eyed consumers have managed to uncover a scam that could affect as many as 200 million Amazon customers.

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And, on a more personal level, if allowed to grow, that scam could cost you your personal information and wreak havoc on your finances.

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How Does the Current Amazon Prime  Scam Work?

The scammers are reportedly sending out an email that looks very official and includes the following or similar verbiage.

Your Prime Membership is renewing on (Date). However, we noticed that your default payment method for your membership has changed. 

To avoid losing your benefits, we'll try charging other active payment methods associated with your Amazon account. If we can't process the charge for your membership fee, your Prime Benefits will be suspended.

The email also includes a "button" that would allow a "member" to enter new payment information or update their credit cards. This is where the scammers want you to click.

Not only will they have access to your financial and personal information, but they will also be able to purchase items unbeknownst to you on the Amazon site.

What Do I Do If I Get a Scam Email From Amazon Prime?

If you get an email such as this, here is what you need to do, or in some cases, not do.

Scammers count on you being naive and apathetic when it comes to "corporate" email requests. Amazon also has other helpful advice for consumers on how to avoid scams in the first place and how to recognize when someone is attempting to scam you.