Amazon seller account scam?

[Flosshilde]

I've got an Amazon Seller account, which doesn't see much actio as I don't sell much on it. I have, however, recently sold a book. Not long after I had an email, purportedly from Amazon, saying that "the payment was cancelled because the credit or debit card information registered on your Amazon.co.uk Selling on Amazon payment account is invalid. This information would be invalid if the card has expired or the billing address has changed." It then says that the credit card information must be updated, & says to go to the Selling on Amazon payments account for instructions on how to update my credit card details.

There's no link in the email, so it could be legitimate. However, when I went to my account it said my password was invalid (it worked when I logged in to process the sale a couple of weeks ago), so I had to change the password. The credit card details haven't changed since my last sale (possibly a year ago) - the address hasn't changed, neither has the card expired. When I log on to my account (with a new password) I can't get past a page that requires me to fill in my credit card details, to check past transactions or what details the y already have. It all looks distinctly fishy.

What I want to know is, if anyone here with a Sellers account has received a similar email at any time? What did you do - did you provide the information, or did you query it?

[french frank]

I think you're right to be careful, even if you are inclined to think it genuine. Did the email address you by name?

[Flosshilde]

No, just 'Dear seller' - which in itself is a bit iffy. If it was a problem specifically relating to my account, they'd surely address me by name?

[french frank]

No, just 'Dear seller' - which in itself is a bit iffy. If it was a problem specifically relating to my account, they'd surely address me by name?

Yes, I think they would. 'Dear Seller' sounds like it's been doing the rounds. If you've just sold a book and you get your money, there's probably nothing to worry about.

I used to find that if I'd contributed to somebody's Just Giving page via PayPal I would often get a phishing email shortly after - from 'PayPal'.

[doversoul1]

No, just 'Dear seller' - which in itself is a bit iffy. If it was a problem specifically relating to my account, they'd surely address me by name?

I received a message from Amazon which I could not be sure if it was genuine of not. I phoned Amazon customer service and asked if it was from them. It turned out to be a fake; the operator checked and found no email was sent to me on that day.

I can’t remember what number I phoned but this may be useful.

http://www.uk-contact-numbers.com/amazon/

[ed.] This was not about selling (I have no seller’s account) but that shouldn’t make difference.

[Flosshilde]

Thanks doversoul - I couldn't find a number on their site. I have sent in a report.

[Petrushka]

I've had a few fake Amazon e-mails in the past year or two and they were really very plausible indeed, really very cleverly done. They were so good that one nearly got me.

Re being a seller on Amazon: I really can't see how anyone makes any money out of it. Not only that but you'd expend a lot of time and effort in making very little. I looked at it when wanting to dispose of some CDs and it was a complete non-starter.

[ostuni]

What route did you end up using (for disposing of CDs)? Some time in the next year, I've got to do some serious downsizing - of both CDs and books.

[Petrushka]

What route did you end up using (for disposing of CDs)? Some time in the next year, I've got to do some serious downsizing - of both CDs and books.

A fellow Forum member got in touch and bought the lot from me. It was what they call a win-win situation.

[cloughie]

What route did you end up using (for disposing of CDs)? Some time in the next year, I've got to do some serious downsizing - of both CDs and books.

My experience as a seller is that some sales are made but very slowly - certainly not a way of quick downsizing and competition from the pro merchants selling at £0.01 plus p&p does not help. £3 is about the minimum I would recommend to make it worthwhile and unfortunately that is way above market value for many CDs. There was a half-hearted attempt to set up a marketplace on these boards but it never took off.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

My experience as a seller is that some sales are made but very slowly - certainly not a way of quick downsizing and competition from the pro merchants selling at £0.01 plus p&p does not help. £3 is about the minimum I would recommend to make it worthwhile and unfortunately that is way above market value for many CDs. There was a half-hearted attempt to set up a marketplace on these boards but it never took off.

Some Amazon sellers charge ludicrously high prices. For example Linguaphone All-Talk Spanish varies in price from £50 (second hand) to up to £285.85 new. Both these extremes are ludicrous, because Linguaphone still sells this course - brand new at £50.

[cloughie]

Some Amazon sellers charge ludicrously high prices. For example Linguaphone All-Talk Spanish varies in price from £50 (second hand) to up to £285.85 new. Both these extremes are ludicrous, because Linguaphone still sells this course - brand new at £50.

I suspect that they are pushing their luck, or haven't a ****** clue. Certainly ones I 've put in matching the ludicrous are still on my shelf. Reminds me to look at some of my prices!