Second Amazon account?

[Catlady]

I'm really confused about how any of this benefits the person who set up the fake second account, so why would he or she do it?

[SleepyBob]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I'm really confused about how any of this benefits the person who set up the fake second account, so why would he or she do it?

They may be sending packages to a dozen locations. For at least a few of them, they have someone nearby to grab the packages off the porch when they arrive. It's not their stuff or money, so they don't care if some/many don't get intercepted in time.

[copyrite]

Hubby's retired, and is home a lot so that doesn't work here very well.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by SleepyBob

They may be sending packages to a dozen locations. For at least a few of them, they have someone nearby to grab the packages off the porch when they arrive. It's not their stuff or money, so they don't care if some/many don't get intercepted in time.

But they're paying with gift cards--those had to be paid for upfront, by someone. I'm just not seeing how this scheme works.

[SleepyBob]

Buying gift cards with stolen credit cards? That may make it harder to identify/deal with the fraud.

[Catlady]

Not really, unless the gift card purchases are all being made to different credit cards, but even then, Amazon would have a record of multiple cards attached to an account. And why waste gift cards on the rather odd items that are going to other addresses.

[copyrite]

I don't get why they're doing this, and why I was targeted with the second account. Every time I call the initial support person seems rather mystified. They do seem to perk up with I use the words "fraudulent account" and "identity theft".

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by copyrite

I don't get why they're doing this, and why I was targeted with the second account. Every time I call the initial support person seems rather mystified. They do seem to perk up with I use the words "fraudulent account" and "identity theft".

Have you asked to speak to a manager?

[copyrite]

Twice when I called the call was escalated to the next level, but I'm not sure of the job title of the person I spoke with.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by copyrite

Twice when I called the call was escalated to the next level, but I'm not sure of the job title of the person I spoke with.

You need to speak to a supervisor. The grunts don't always get it.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Not really, unless the gift card purchases are all being made to different credit cards, but even then, Amazon would have a record of multiple cards attached to an account. And why waste gift cards on the rather odd items that are going to other addresses.

The way the scam normally works is that a group of people, normally outside the US, gifts an account with gift cards purchased with various fraudulent credit cards. They then use the account to buy items and have those items shipped to various addresses. They then have the people at those various addresses forward the package to them outside the US. Sometimes, they have the item shipped to an address near one of their confederates who intercepts the package when it's delivered. The thing that surprises me about what is being described is that the items being shipped don't seem to have much value.

[darryl]

pwalker8 explained the scam very well, but there are some things I would add. The Amazon accounts with the gift cards are often sold to purchasers on the web, either in particular forums on the open web or on the dark web. If the fraudsters themselves use the account to purchase goods they do so as described. However, sending some goods to innocent third parties further muddies the waters in the unlikely event law enforcement does take an interest. It depends on how paranoid they are, but remember it is not their own money. But if there are 20 purchases to 20 different addresses, with nineteen of the recipients innocent victims, how does law enforcement identify the fraudster with any reasonable degree of certainty. Even harder if the addresses are all of innocent people and the fraudster plans to intercept the delivery.

Either the scammer hoped in your case to intercept your deliveries or you are simply there to muddy the waters. Because the orders you are receiving are small items with little value I suspect the latter in your case.

[Catlady]

Just saw this today:

Amazon Keeps Sending Free Gifts to This Couple. They Are Not Happy

This couple keeps getting mystery packages from Amazon they didn’t order

[copyrite]

Interesting. I never got any other unsolicited packages, thank heavens. Interesting theory on why it's occurring though. The CS reps I talked to had no problem telling me who the packages were from.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Just saw this today:

Amazon Keeps Sending Free Gifts to This Couple. They Are Not Happy

This couple keeps getting mystery packages from Amazon they didn’t order

I was wondering why a piece of junk umbrella I got had so many glowing reviews from verified purchasers.