Watch Out For Phony Amazon Text Messages, It's A Scam: Wethersfield PD

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Local police are warning residents of a phony recall scam where fake text messages purported to be from Amazon attempt to get personal information.

According to the Wethersfield Police Department Monday, Aug. 11, folks are getting fake text messages from Amazon indicating that an item purchased had been recalled.

Both the text and the recall notice are fake, according to the WPD, and victims are promised a refund in exchange for tapping a link and providing certain information.

"However, the refund offer is a trick, and the message is not actually from Amazon. This message is a text phishing scam that was sent to you by cybercriminals, also known as smishing," wrote the WPD.

"If you tap the link in the message, you will be directed to a fake website that looks exactly like Amazon's official site. This site will ask you to enter your account login information, payment details, and other personal data. If you enter any information here, the cybercriminals can steal your Amazon account and money."

The WPD offered up several tips to avoid being a victim, namely:

• Never tap on a link in an unexpected text message.

• Be wary of any offer promising a full refund without requiring the return of that object.

• And report all suspicious text messages via your phone's "report junk" option and delete the message.