Amazon Prime.

[Workingman]

We touched on this a while back as I am not a big user of Amazon.

To cut a long story there was something I wanted and only A was offering the version I needed so I gave them a go and took a Prime free trial. What mistake that was!

I had used A ages ago and the card I used had expired but even though I set everything up with my new card they still tried to take the payment from the old card. Order accepted and out went the money... oh no, order declined, money went back in! I had to go into my account only to find my old card still active and the new one not accepted. It took ages to sort out on instant chat and eventually my order was accepted, processed and duly delivered. So far, so good.

However, since then I have been getting pester calls from all sorts of numbers, which I have kept a record of - "Your Amazon Prime account has been deducted £xx.pp. To confirm this payment press 1, for a refund of the payment press 2. I obviously do not press anything and I have reported them to Amazon who seem totally disinterested, so I have cancelled.

It is a known scam and Action Fraud are looking into it, but what concerns me is how the scammers knew that I had taken the Prime free trial and how they got my home phone number. It does not exactly inspire confidence in Amazon's security and payment systems. I also reported this to my bank who are also aware of the scam and will keep a tag on my account.

[cruiser2]

I will not buy from Amazon.
I have had phone calls to say my Amazon Prime account is expiring. Never had one.

If I cannot find it on another web site- a small independent trader I will do without.
I know someone who is working at one of their depots. He has his own taxi business mainly airport runs. He says alot of the workers are youngsters with no real interest in work.

[Gal2]

I ignore all emails and log into my account to check if all is well, as I do with all my online accounts.

I resisted Prime for a long time, as I felt I didn't order enough things to warrant the £7.99 a month, but This Is Us (series) changed all that!!

[jenniren]

I use Amazon and lot and love Prime. They were particularly helpful when I needed mobility aids for Ed. I tried all the recommended mobility suppliers first and they all said 5-10 days for delivery with a hefty postal charge. Amazon were not only cheaper for exactly the same items, but delivered the next day at no extra charge. I have had a couple of bogus calls, but then I've also had scam calls supposedly from HMRC, I just ignore them all.

[Kaz]

Same here Jen, and I also echo what you said Gal. I never go in via email links, I log into my account via the browser.

[TheOstrich]

Master O has Amazon Prime, so we use him, delivery to our address. Only "used" it twice so far in lockdown but it seems to have worked OK.

The only phishing email we've had of late is the (very common) "Royal Mail haven't been able to deliver your parcel - send us dosh" one.

[Workingman]

I do understand the attraction of Amazon for all the reasons everyone always give, but you are all missing the point I am making.

What worries me with Prime is that I went from never getting phone calls or emails to an avalanche of phone calls since I set up Prime. How did my details get out? If the scammers have my home phone number they also have my name and address - from the delivery details. There is also a slight possibility that some of my card details could have been lifted if the system has taken a hack - not all of them because the security code and sort code and account number are not shown. Something is amiss and Amazon do not seem to be bothered. The numbers being used have been spoofed as when I try to ring back I get the message that the number does not exist and to try again.

I have now gone in and obliterated everything.

[TheOstrich]

I did note the point you were making, WM, and yes, it is worrying.
It's yet another compelling reason why I never use the internet for any financial transactions unless absolutely necessary.

[Kaz]

I noted too Frank, but have never had the issues you mention. If and when we do I will worry about it although Mick would probably know what to do.

Ossie we do that too, for D as she doesn't have Prime. We order and pay, have it delivered to her and she pays us back. Saves her paying delivery

[Workingman]

Well Yorkshire Bank have taken it seriously enough even though Amazon didn't. I got a call back from customer services and when I ran through the details they suggested cancelling the current card and will issue a new one.

I now feel a bit more secure.