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Spooky Phishing Phone Call

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Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

This morning I placed an order from Amazon - and about an hour later got a recorded call that said it was from Amazon...

They said there was a suspicious charge of $77 and some cents on my Visa card. If I didn't place that order I should call. I thought it was strange, but the amount and the card were wrong, so I called.

A man answered, saying he was Amazon support. I explained that I had gotten a phone call about a charge that was not accurate. He asked if I had an Amazon account and I said yes...

But instead of giving him my name or my Amazon account information, I said "How do I know I'm calling Amazon? Who are you, really?"

...and just like that, he was gone. All I heard was the click.

I wonder if there's somewhere I can report this phone number. Anyone know?

Comments(15)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Marte - good for you for being/staying alert.  The NO PHISHING sign is definitely needed but in the meantime, our vigilance matters.  

Sep 30, 2019 01:26 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good afternoon Marte. Report it to Amazon. They would be interested and probably have a Phishing Department.

Sep 30, 2019 03:31 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Michael Jacobs I had suspicions before I dialed. His first question confirmed them.

Sheila Anderson That's a good idea - I'll do it right now.

Sep 30, 2019 03:39 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Yikes, Marte. That IS a bit spooky. Just think of people who get scammed by calls like this.

Like Sheila said I would report it to Amazon, but perhaps aslo to the FTC when you can report all sorts of scam calls.

Jeff

Sep 30, 2019 05:36 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Marte- thank goodness you were on your toes. And yes, report this to Amazon at the very least!!! 

Sep 30, 2019 07:06 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jeff Dowler, CRS - Yes, I'm sure some people fall for it and hand over their credit card numbers. If they didn't, the crooks wouldn't keep on with their scams. Kathy Streib I did call Amazon - it wasn't easy to find how to contact them! - and they were glad to take the information.

Sep 30, 2019 09:03 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

That is a bit scary, Marte. I'd go online to Amazon and call their customer service number.

Sep 30, 2019 10:09 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Marte Cliff Please let us know Amazon's response and if they have a Phishing line.

Oct 01, 2019 10:02 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Nina Hollander and Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland - I dug around on the Amazon site until I found a "contact us" link. From there I went to a form with choices about why I wanted to contact them. Spam/fraud/etc. was one of the choices. I entered my phone number and they called me back immediately - and put me on hold! I thought that part was a bit odd.

Anyway, I waited and talked with someone who was glad to take the report and take down the phone number that the recording instructed me to call. She said she'd forward it on to the proper department.

It's sure a shame that businesses have to deal with this garbage.

Oct 01, 2019 09:17 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, that's scary, Marte! I will say that I've had good response from the Secretary of State when I had issues with people phoning me about my listings (thinking they were rentals). You may want to try them too - just to be sure it's addressed by the authorities and not just the company.

Oct 06, 2019 08:44 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

That's a good idea, Debe Maxwell, CRS. I don't suppose there's a way to stop all this - they have so many ways to hide themselves and their dirty dealings. 

Oct 06, 2019 09:15 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Yes, the world has gone crazy, Marte! While we love keeping up with our family and friends on social media, I truly believe that has made the craziness even worse.

Oct 06, 2019 09:26 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

It does seem that way, Debe Maxwell, CRS.

Oct 06, 2019 09:36 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Somebody's watching all of us! No joke. I get so much spam some days it's like - who let the dogs out. 

Oct 07, 2019 04:01 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

I agree Anna Banana Kruchten - Phoenix Homes Sales - When I turn my computer on in the morning I have from 35 to 45 emails. By the time I delete all the junk I have 3-5 that I plan to read.

Oct 07, 2019 04:10 PM
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