Just the other day a reader asked me if I had heard of the Amazon job scam that was being promoted by phone. Having an unpublished phone number, I rarely receive any unsolicited phone calls, so I wasn’t aware of it. So, I decided to do some research and see what I could dig up on this work-at-home scam.
First, let me say, Amazon is a legit e-commerce company that offers individuals different ways to make money from home. But, with that being said, they do not recruit people for these positions by phone.
Before you jump into the details, be sure to grab our Free Work-From-Home Starter Guide.
Legit Ways to Make Money with Amazon
First, let’s talk about some of the legit ways people can make money with Amazon. One way is through their affiliate program, where publishers and bloggers make an advertising fee off of items that are promoted and sold on their websites.
Another way in which you can make money on Amazon is through Amazon Mechanical Turk which is a platform where individuals complete short tasks for money.
You can also earn money from Amazon by using Amazon’s FBA Program. Amazon acts as a fulfillment center for your business. You sell stuff, then they pack and ship it for you. They take a 30% cut of the total sales, and the rest is your profit. There are no fees to participate in any of these programs; they are free to join.
Amazon also offers money-making opportunities via self-publishing, mobile applications, various selling platforms, and sell-back programs. They also hire people for remote customer service and delivery jobs — but never do they call potential workers for these positions.
How This Amazon Phone Scam Works
Now, since I have not received this phone call it’s difficult for me to say what exactly it is … and I’m unable to find the landing page for the promotion of this work-at-home scam. All I have to go on is testimonials from other individuals on forums and blogs. But I think this is the gist of it …
There are work-at-home ads circulating online when individuals click on the ad; they are brought to a landing page that requests their name and phone number.
The scammers then call the people with a hyped-up pitch about how much money they can make with Amazon. They then ask for your credit card number for a startup fee, and this is when they get you. Amazon has nothing to do with this fraudulent opportunity; these crooks using Amazon’s good name to promote their scam — the same sort of thing has happened with Google — you can read about it here.
What Does This Amazon Job Scam Look Like?
While I was unable to listen or view the promotion for this scam, other individuals and readers have mentioned that the caller left a voicemail and they were directed to AmazonCareers.co which was an offer for Real Profits Online.
There have been a lot of readers who have received this phone call, so be sure to read all the comments below for more details.
Also, Amazon’s legit job page is located at Amazon.jobs/en
Check out these articles for other variations and names used with this Amazon Phone Scam:
- Amazon Associates Phone Scam
- Scam Artists Are Using Fake Phone Numbers to Pose as Amazon Customer Service
- Scam Alert: Phony Amazon Job Asks Applicants to Pay Upfront
Just a heads up, there are multiple Amazon scams floating around right now. There’s the gift card scam, the phishing scams, as well as discount offer scams. So before you click on a link or give your credit card information out — do a Google search and see if it’s legit. In most cases, Amazon will NOT contact you for any of these types of opportunities.
How Do You Protect Yourself From This Scam and Others?
First, and foremost, you should be keeping track of your job hunting activities. This post here explains how to do that. Unsolicited job offers from so-called recruiters, just don’t happen for entry-level positions. There are more than enough candidates for these roles that there’s no need for head hunters to recruit. When you keep track of what positions you apply for, you have a better idea if a call or email is legit, because you can spot the unsolicited job offers from a mile away. A little work upfront can help protect you from scams in the long run.
Here are some other red flags to be aware of on your job search:
- Vague job descriptions
- Lack of contact information
- High payouts for entry-level work
- Poor ratings on the Better Business Bureau website
- Deceptive marketing and advertising practices
- Boasting fake affiliations and partnerships
- Negative reviews
- High-pressure sales tactics
- Too good to be true offers
- Having to pay a fee upfront
- Fake email addresses and websites – AmazonCareers.co
- Giving personal information over the phone, social security number, bank account info, or credit card information
What To Do If You’ve Fallen For This Scam
If you’ve fallen for this scam, the first thing you need to do is contact or your bank or credit card company and have them stop payment. Many of these scams have recurring fees that are charged monthly, sometimes weekly. The sooner you can contact your providers the better your chances of reclaiming your money.
You should report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission so that they can investigate and hopefully put a stop to these scammers’ activities. You should also contact the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your accounts; you may even want to freeze your lines of credit so that scammers can’t open up any lines of credit in your name.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling uneasy about your work-at-home job search — check out the paid membership site FlexJobs. Every single job listed on their website is hand-screened for legitimacy. So when you apply, you can rest assured that you’re not going to fall prey to a work-at-home scam. Not only does FlexJobs have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, but they also offer a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. You can also get up to 30% off a FlexJobs’ membership, just use the promo code WAHWOMAN at checkout here.
Have you received a phone call offering this Amazon scam? What else have you heard about it? Drop us a note; we’d love to hear from you.
Please help us spread the word about this scam by sharing this article on your favorite social media sites – thanks.
Originally published May 14, 2014. Content updated February 23, 2019.
joe walker
received an automated call today claiming to be from amazon , lady advising me that my account will be taken out of my account, i immediately terminated the call !!! number was 01825547810 , we do not have an amazon account !!!!
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Thanks for sharing your experience, Joe!
I’ve been getting a lot of emails from “Amazon” saying that I need to update my credit card information, otherwise, they are going to close my account. I mark them as SPAM and then immediately delete them.
For consumers that are questioning the validity of these messages and emails, they should go directly to the source before clicking or giving out any information.
Jason
Nobody knows how to stop the calls??? They call my phone, it rings ONCE then goes to voicemail EVERY time. I cant even answer. I get at least 10 calls a day!!! Help!
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Jason,
Sorry, this is happening to you.
Have you tried blocking the numbers?
You should also file a complaint with the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1
Bob Gaensslen
The worst part is that when “she” leaves a message there is no record of the number in the call log (on a Samsung anyway). So you can’t even block it. And if you listen to the whole message, she never gives a callback #. They have gamed the whole system.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
That stinks! Hopefully, the FTC finds these people and stops them soon.
Brad
Try downloading call protect, I have the same problem and it’s helped a lot.
Sandy
Hi, my name is Sandy. I have been getting the same kind of calls and I do block them. But it is always with another number. I just keep blocking them.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for sharing your experience!
There’s a smartphone app called, Hiya, which automatically blocks and identifies spam and fraud calls.
Maybe worth a try:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hiya-caller-id-spam-blocker/id986999874?mt=8
Kathu
Is it telling you to go to workusingamazon.org?
Eva North
Good evening Kathu,I have gotten so many voicemail messages with that website listed. I’ve checked that website, once, and found it wasn’t legit.
Tina
I just received this call earlier this evening. This is what it said:
“Hi this is Sarah calling From shipper web.org. we need people in your area to work with Amazon from home starting pay is $27.50 an hour sign up at Shopperwebs.org that’s Shopperwebs.org.”
I received a call a couple of weeks ago that was almost identical. The website was different.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Thanks for sharing, Tina.
Just a note to all — be sure to check the web address when you’re applying for jobs. Amazon’s web address https://www.amazon.jobs/en
Ellissa E
I got that same exact call yesterday and i got a call for a different website today.
Kane
mine said 35 dollars an hour, knew it was a scam just because of that
Lisa D.
I just received the call……….I don’t answer calls from unknown numbers but she left a voice message.
It was: Hi this is Sarah calling with amazoncareers.co, a non-profit recruitment firm. I saw your resume online and I’m calling about an online opportunity working with Amazon. You will be listing products and posting reviews online in your spare time. The hourly pay ranges from $17.00 to $32.00 per hour. We are currently hiring 23 people this month so please register today at amazoncareers.co, that’s amazoncareers.co. Thank you.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
It makes me so angry how hard they are pushing this scam! ?
I’ve even seen internet ads promoting it.
Lisa D.
amazoncareers.co directs you to a site named “real Profits Online” and they want you to purchase a kit (for a small fee):
First, you will need to apply for “Real Profits Online ” work from home package. Why? Because “Real Profits Online ” decided to invest in United States Terrell and hire more people from this area and thus help the economy grow and recover faster. They have released a limited amount of kits, all distributed through local websites in your area, you only need to pay a small enrollment fee.
This small fee covers the processing costs and also separates the people who are serious about working with this huge netwok through this program.
“Anybody with basic computer skills will be able to perform these tasks” the company remarks, “We understand the psychology of working from home and we want to give our employees tasks that are simple and easy. Then, reward them generously in order to keep them motivated.”
Is this worth quitting your job? If you’re lucky enough to receive a kit, this will simply add as much as $14,000 to your monthly income while working as much or as little as you want.
“Real Profits Online ” work from home program only requires 1-2 hours a day of work to start, so you see just how simple it can be to earn money from home. This way our work from home employees will see the benefit and start devoting more and more time each day and their income will increase accordingly.”
Although these positions are being filled quickly since the accouchements, quite a few openings still remain at the time of this writing.
Celeste Fenner
This is the one that was left on my voicemail from this phone number: 720-477-7271. At the bottom of the website pitch in small print it says they are not affiliated with Amazon. That was the tip off to me. Clicking on the Real Profits Online and seeing this site verified to me it’s a scam. Pretty good job on their pitch at the beginning; pretty slick.
Celeste Fenner
A call from Sara. This is the one that was left on my voicemail from this phone number: 720-477-7271. At the bottom of the website pitch in small print it says they are not affiliated with Amazon. Also wanting you to purchase the kit. That’s always a big tip it’s a scam, especially since they aren’t directly affiliated with Amazon. Also, you could share the page on Facebook, etc. I thought it would be very bad to be sharing something illegitimate. So I tested by clicking on the Facebook share and it went directly to the REal Profits Online website that looks very scammy with bright arrows & colors and very basic. Pretty good job on their pitch at the beginning; pretty slick. Disgusting manipulation as all these scams say how much time you can spend with your family while earning $14,000 a month(this particular scam). The obligatory picture of bare feet and a lounge chair on the beach.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
?
Vickie
I’ve received the Amazon and compute issues calls. I’m getting up to 11 PM. I’ve block them every time! Is there any other way to stop these calls.
Kristen Barnes
This is the message left on my voice mail today, “This is Sarah calling with AmazonProfits.org. We need people in your area to work with Amazon from home. Starting pay is $27.50 an hour. Sign up at amazonprofits.org, that’s amazonprofits.org”.
The number on my caller ID is 1 (719) 259-5454. Colorado Springs, CO
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Thanks for sharing the message, Kristen!
Hopefully, people see this post before they give out their credit card info!
Laura Donahue
Hi, My name is Laura Donahue. I just received the same EXACT voice message, word for word, as Kristen Barnes. The number on my called ID is 509-204-5254. The name she left was “Sarah”.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Thanks for sharing your experince, Laura.
It’s such a shame that this is happening.
Sheila
I also received this call, several times now :(
Hello, this is Sarah calling with Amazon Money.co a nonprofit recruitment firm. I saw your resume online and I’m calling about an online opportunity working with Amazon you’ll be listing product and posting reviews online in your spare time. I really pay ranges from $17-$32 an hour. We are currently hiring 23 people this month. So please register today Amazon Money.co.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
Hi Shelia,
Appreciate you sharing your experience with this scam.
Hopefully, people will do their research and stumble upon this article. I would hate for someone to lose their hard earned money to these scammers!
tammy
I received the same call yesterday, but it was Amazon Programs with a website of amazonprograms.org.
The recording speed out the web site and spelled org as O R T. Obvious mistake.
Holly - The Work at Home Woman
That’s very common with scams — poor grammar and spelling.