Beware of Amazon Seller Scams

Everyone has fallen victim to a scam before, whether they're aware of it or not. Although most are aware of most scams orbiting the internet... There are some that can easily pass under our noses. And one of the websites that has a plethora of scammers lurking is Amazon.

When it comes to such a well-known company, it's hard to fathom that scammers can even get by their seller account setup but it's much easier than you think. Scam artists are getting more clever by the day and hiding scams within everyday products.

For example, when you see "100% Real Diamond Earrings" that are $5, you may be quick to think that's a fantastic deal! Or your more skeptic eye may realize that's a scam from a mile away. My cousin fell for this scam and she purchased them for prom... Only to have a severe allergic reaction to the metal used and, shocker, they weren't real diamonds.

So how do we tell scams and great deals apart?

Some Good Things to Look For:

• Established brand name.
• Quality customer reviews. (Make sure to read the 1-Star reviews!)
• Seller answers all questions asked on product.
• Proof of quality or materials in the product details.

Things That Are Red Flags:

• Bad customer reviews that expose the company.
• No customer reviews.
• No brand name or company to back the product's quality.
• Insanely low prices that seem "too good to be true".
• Seller does not respond to questions or offer refunds.

Here are some things I suggest to ensure you never fall victim to an Amazon scam:

• Check pricing of that same product on at least three other websites.
• ALWAYS read the customer reviews, both good and bad. It helps to view the pictures in the reviews!
• Ask friends and family if a deal doesn't sound right.
• Look up company or seller– Do they have a bad reputation?
• Don't turn on "1-Click Ordering", it makes it too easy to purchase without thinking.
• Do research on the product itself and compare to others like it.
• Know the return policy!

While this article was directed at Amazon scams, all of these warnings apply to any online shopping websites. Especially with Facebook Marketplace and eBay, because those sites are easier to become a seller on.

Earlier I said that scams hide within regular purchases as well. Have you ever gotten a follow-up email from an Amazon seller asking for a good review in exchange for a free product or Amazon Gift Card? Most of the time, those companies never follow through on their promise or make you jump through hoops to get the free gift card. Those scams are specifically looking for your information so they can target you in future purchases. They want to add your email to multiple lists and the goal is to get you to purchase specifically from them again the next time you're on Amazon.

Sellers on Amazon that have no clear 'product' or 'brand' are ones to watch out for. So make sure to check out their seller page to see what types of products they sell! If they're selling all the hot-ticket items... Try to purchase directly from a known brand instead, even if you're paying a few dollars more. It'll save you (and your information) from falling victim to a scam!

Besides, most companies run promotions on their products and sometimes you can get it cheaper if you do some research first. Recently I discovered that some of my most favorite products are way cheaper if I buy directly from that company's website!

Bottom line– Do your research. Don't impulse buy. And support the company's you love directly.