Amazon has closed my account due to unauthorized activity, what do I do now?

ficbot · 07-09-2011, 01:35 AM

I received the following email this evening from Amazon:

Greetings from Amazon.com.

Please take the time to read this message - it contains important
information about your Amazon.com account.

At Amazon.com, we routinely perform reviews of orders and customer
accounts to protect our customers. After careful review of your
account, we believe it may have been accessed and used by a
third-party to make purchases without your permission, but it appears
they did not use your credit card to make these purchases. It seems
that someone obtained your personal account and/or financial
information elsewhere, and used it on Amazon.com to access your
account.

We have closed your account effective immediately because of this
possible unauthorized account activity. If this recent account
activity (Gift Certificate ) was authorized by you, please reply to
this message as soon as possible and we will reactivate your account.

Otherwise, you will need to open a new account when you place future
orders with us...

---

So, my question is, what do I do about my Kindle? Obviously, I can set up a new account to order further Kindle books, but how can I access the Kindle books from my 'closed' account? I have downloaded them all, of course (and liberated them and put them into Calibre) but I use the sync feature a lot across my devices and really don't want to lose that. And I don't want to lose my record of my past purchases and ability to easily download them onto any new devices.

I did just try logging into my existing Amazon account and did get an error message. It does appear this is a legit email and they have closed it. So...what now? I have a Kindle and also use the iPad and iPod Touch app. I would like to be back in business here ASAP.

lestatar · 07-09-2011, 01:56 AM

Man, sorry for your woes.

First things first: forget about Amazon and the Kindle for a moment. I would be MUCH MORE CONCERNED with tracking down how your personal info [banking, billing address, Amazon details, etc] may have gotten used by someone other than yourself [though I suppose you should be grateful a different credit card appeared to have been used].

Then ask Amazon what exactly was purchased and more importantly, where the stuff was shipped to if it was physical merchandise - these things may help you piece together who spoofed you.

Second, and I am only guessing here, but am thinking Amazon will be more than willing to walk you through getting back access to your previously purchased Kindle books, once you have created a new account. This should be a snap for them.

Wish I could offer more advice. Just good luck and hope it all works out...
-les

Deja Moo · 07-09-2011, 02:16 AM

First: was this email really from Amazon? If not, and if there was a link in the email, it probably would connect you with a site that really would steal your ID.

kacir · 07-09-2011, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

please reply to
this message as soon as possible and we will reactivate your account.

DO NOT! reply to that message.
Instead contact Amazon by other means - like calling customer support, or type an email address for customer support directly. Show them this email.

It is possible that the "reply address" embedded in the email leads to some scammer and by replying you provide info that will let them steal your account.

crich70 · 07-09-2011, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kacir

DO NOT! reply to that message.
Instead contact Amazon by other means - like calling customer support, or type an email address for customer support directly. Show them this email.

It is possible that the "reply address" embedded in the email leads to some scammer and by replying you provide info that will let them steal your account.

I agree with kacir. It does sound potentially fishy. Contact customer services at Amazon and get confirmation from them as to what is going on. And if someone has got your banking info. contact your bank so they can help guard your account against someone helping themselves to it. They will probably direct you to a number to call that will have your present card cancelled and a new card shipped out to you if your bank account has been compromised. So for 7 days you won't have a bank card but can write checks or withdraw funds as needed. The real fun will be getting everything switched over to the new card if you have accounts with other vendors besides Amazon like a monthly charge for some online service or something.

lestatar · 07-09-2011, 04:41 AM

Very true guys and the OP MUST be careful.

However, he does state he tried to log into his Amazon account and received an error message - this to me leans toward the message being genuine.

Still, totally right - first step is to CONTACT AMAZON directly, preferably via telephone.

wayrad · 07-09-2011, 06:33 AM

Identical messages have been reported to a number of fraud alert/scam report sites over the last few months, but I couldn't find any definitive opinion as to whether they're genuine. Did you check the header information to see if it looked real?

pdurrant · 07-09-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ficbot

I received the following email this evening from Amazon:

[snip mail quote]

I did just try logging into my existing Amazon account and did get an error message. It does appear this is a legit email and they have closed it. So...what now? I have a Kindle and also use the iPad and iPod Touch app. I would like to be back in business here ASAP.

Telephone Amazon Customer Services immediately. It was almost certainly a phishing scam, and you've just handed your Amazon login details to the scammers by trying to log in through a fake Amazon web site.

You could try opening a new window, typing in the amazon web site address manually and logging in. If you get in, change your password immediately, before the scammers do so.

If I'm wrong, and it is a genuine email, you still need to talk to Customer Services. Closing an account because of suspicious activity is just wrong. Freeze it, sure, but not close it.

TimW · 07-09-2011, 09:46 AM

Since they didn't open the email with "Hello <your first name>" that's not a good sign. Amazon has a page on how to identify legitimate mail from them:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...odeId=15835501

lestatar · 07-09-2011, 09:48 AM

Good info everyone - my feeling the email was possibly legit was based on the assumption that the OP tried logging into the legit Amazon site and was denied.

@OP, as we all counsel you, CALL Amazon with all haste.

TimW · 07-09-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lestatar

Good info everyone - my feeling the email was possibly legit was based on the assumption that the OP tried logging into the legit Amazon site and was denied.

@OP, as we all counsel you, CALL Amazon with all haste.

Excellent idea.

ucfgrad93 · 07-09-2011, 09:57 AM

Another vote for contacting Amazon directly. Don't use the link in the email.

peitsao · 07-09-2011, 10:13 AM

ficbot,

If you already clicked on the email and tried to log in via the email, the scammers already have your info. Try to log in to the site directly, and if you can, change your password immediately and call AMAZON. The last time I called them, I used this # 800 (201) 7575, but that was last year.

Good luck!

peitsao · 07-09-2011, 10:22 AM

#1 rule to avoid scammers: NEVER/EVER log onto any account via any email, no matter how legit it looks.

ucfgrad93 · 07-09-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peitsao

#1 rule to avoid scammers: NEVER/EVER log onto any account via any email, no matter how legit it looks.

Words of wisdom, my friend.

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07-09-2011, 01:35 AM	#1
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	Amazon has closed my account due to unauthorized activity, what do I do now? I received the following email this evening from Amazon: Greetings from Amazon.com. Please take the time to read this message - it contains important information about your Amazon.com account. At Amazon.com, we routinely perform reviews of orders and customer accounts to protect our customers. After careful review of your account, we believe it may have been accessed and used by a third-party to make purchases without your permission, but it appears they did not use your credit card to make these purchases. It seems that someone obtained your personal account and/or financial information elsewhere, and used it on Amazon.com to access your account. We have closed your account effective immediately because of this possible unauthorized account activity. If this recent account activity (Gift Certificate ) was authorized by you, please reply to this message as soon as possible and we will reactivate your account. Otherwise, you will need to open a new account when you place future orders with us... --- So, my question is, what do I do about my Kindle? Obviously, I can set up a new account to order further Kindle books, but how can I access the Kindle books from my 'closed' account? I have downloaded them all, of course (and liberated them and put them into Calibre) but I use the sync feature a lot across my devices and really don't want to lose that. And I don't want to lose my record of my past purchases and ability to easily download them onto any new devices. I did just try logging into my existing Amazon account and did get an error message. It does appear this is a legit email and they have closed it. So...what now? I have a Kindle and also use the iPad and iPod Touch app. I would like to be back in business here ASAP.

07-09-2011, 01:56 AM	#2
lestatar LB's lolz Mutt Minion Posts: 2,902 Karma: 5700001 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hong Kong now but NYC forever Device: Kindle3, GalaxyTab, BB Bold9700, BB 8300, Sony Clie, Palm Vx, Palm III	Man, sorry for your woes. First things first: forget about Amazon and the Kindle for a moment. I would be MUCH MORE CONCERNED with tracking down how your personal info [banking, billing address, Amazon details, etc] may have gotten used by someone other than yourself [though I suppose you should be grateful a different credit card appeared to have been used]. Then ask Amazon what exactly was purchased and more importantly, where the stuff was shipped to if it was physical merchandise - these things may help you piece together who spoofed you. Second, and I am only guessing here, but am thinking Amazon will be more than willing to walk you through getting back access to your previously purchased Kindle books, once you have created a new account. This should be a snap for them. Wish I could offer more advice. Just good luck and hope it all works out... -les

07-09-2011, 02:16 AM	#3
Deja Moo Enthusiast Posts: 32 Karma: 8228 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: PaperWhite	First: was this email really from Amazon? If not, and if there was a link in the email, it probably would connect you with a site that really would steal your ID.

07-09-2011, 04:41 AM	#6
lestatar LB's lolz Mutt Minion Posts: 2,902 Karma: 5700001 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hong Kong now but NYC forever Device: Kindle3, GalaxyTab, BB Bold9700, BB 8300, Sony Clie, Palm Vx, Palm III	Very true guys and the OP MUST be careful. However, he does state he tried to log into his Amazon account and received an error message - this to me leans toward the message being genuine. Still, totally right - first step is to CONTACT AMAZON directly, preferably via telephone.

07-09-2011, 06:33 AM	#7
wayrad Fanatic Posts: 551 Karma: 1121392 Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Device: HTC One M8	Identical messages have been reported to a number of fraud alert/scam report sites over the last few months, but I couldn't find any definitive opinion as to whether they're genuine. Did you check the header information to see if it looked real?

07-09-2011, 09:46 AM	#9
TimW Wizard Posts: 1,022 Karma: 6824104 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southeastern Kentucky Device: KK3G, KPW1, Sony PRST1, Sony PRS350, iPod Touch 5G	Since they didn't open the email with "Hello <your first name>" that's not a good sign. Amazon has a page on how to identify legitimate mail from them: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...odeId=15835501

07-09-2011, 09:48 AM	#10
lestatar LB's lolz Mutt Minion Posts: 2,902 Karma: 5700001 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Hong Kong now but NYC forever Device: Kindle3, GalaxyTab, BB Bold9700, BB 8300, Sony Clie, Palm Vx, Palm III	Good info everyone - my feeling the email was possibly legit was based on the assumption that the OP tried logging into the legit Amazon site and was denied. @OP, as we all counsel you, CALL Amazon with all haste.

07-09-2011, 09:57 AM	#12
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,372 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	Another vote for contacting Amazon directly. Don't use the link in the email.

07-09-2011, 10:13 AM	#13
peitsao Addict Posts: 211 Karma: 32760 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Allegheny Mountains Device: Kobo mini, PW3,NookST	ficbot, If you already clicked on the email and tried to log in via the email, the scammers already have your info. Try to log in to the site directly, and if you can, change your password immediately and call AMAZON. The last time I called them, I used this # 800 (201) 7575, but that was last year. Good luck!

07-09-2011, 10:22 AM	#14
peitsao Addict Posts: 211 Karma: 32760 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Allegheny Mountains Device: Kobo mini, PW3,NookST	#1 rule to avoid scammers: NEVER/EVER log onto any account via any email, no matter how legit it looks.