Press release
Amazon Announces Lawsuit to Combat Fraudulent Affiliate Marketing Schemes
Filing accelerates effort to address fake text-message scams
What:
Bad actors in these schemes profit by creating fraudulent text message campaigns that drive traffic to advertisers and websites. These fake text messages are intentionally designed to trick unsuspecting consumers to click on a link by using Amazon’s name and offering recipients “rewards” or other “gifts.”
Instead, victims are redirected to a website to take a survey, which also fraudulently uses Amazon’s brand and promises a reward for participation. Once participants click for their reward, they are sent on to online marketers, advertisers and websites to buy products or services that have no relation to
Statement (attributable to
“Amazon works hard to build a great, trusted experience for our customers and sellers. These bad actors are misusing our brand to deceive the public and we will hold them accountable. We also want to remind consumers to be vigilant and learn how to recognize the signs of a scam so they are protected, no matter where they shop.”
Additional Background:
-
Case: 2:21-cv-00627,
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington -
The Better Business Bureau offers simple tips on how to recognized and avoid scams, https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scams -
In
March 2021 , theU.S. District Court of Utah the Federal Trade Commission’s filed order against four companies for operating a telemarketing scheme that fraudulently usedAmazon Associates’ name to offer fake work-from-home opportunities.
https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/ftc-obtains-permanent-ban-and-2m-judgment-work-home-scammer -
In
June 2020 ,Amazon shut down three email based affiliate marketing schemes inMichigan ,Colorado , andCalifornia .
https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazon-stops-multiple-fraudulent-affiliate-marketing-schemes -
In
April 2019 ,Amazon stopped anIllinois -based affiliate marketer,First Impression Interactive, Inc. and its owners from advertising fake work-from-home jobs withAmazon . As a result of Amazon’s efforts, First Impression and its owners are now prohibited from using Amazon’s brand in any future marketing.
https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/04/10/amazon-work-from-home-job-scam-first-impression-interactive/
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210511006213/en/
amazon-pr@amazon.com
Source: