Scams have become all too common on Amazon.  They go both ways, with sellers putting up fictitious product listings and customers paying with stolen credit cards. Both sellers and buyers on Amazon need to be vigilant to protect themselves from fraudulent activity.

Here are a few red flags to watch out for on the Amazon marketplace:

New sellers

If you see that a seller has “just launched” in the description, be wary.  They may actually be new to the marketplace, but they may also be a fake who is trying to cheat you out of your money. If you cannot find multiple positive reviews placed by different people at different times, buy from another vendor.

Too-good-to-be-true prices

Everybody wants a good deal, but you often get what you pay for.  Watch out for unrealistically deep discounts.  Some Amazon sellers will offer their merchandise at half of the price of competitors’ rates.  Anything that meets or exceeds this threshold for a discount should be considered with caution.  Remember that the seller has to make a profit, so there may be more to the story if they appear to be selling too low.

Too many listings

If sellers offer a glut of product listings, but they don’t seem to have reviews to support the size of their purported business, proceed carefully.  You may be seeing a scammer in action.

Transacting business outside of Amazon

You could be a victim of a scam if the seller asks you to communicate through email before buying the product. They may lure you in by offering a price you can’t refuse.  They could then collect payment from you outside of Amazon or phish personal details from you.  Make sure that you only communicate with the seller through the Amazon Buyer-Seller Messaging Service.  Going outside of this protocol could land you on shaky ground.

Phishing for personal information

Amazon does not and will not ask you for personal information. If a seller asks you for private details through an email, do not fall for it.

If you have trouble with a seller, make sure to report it to Amazon’s customer service. If you do not get your product or you get the wrong product, lodge a complaint.

Fraudulent purchasing practices

If you sell on Amazon, you should watch out for scamming buyers.  These buyers commandeer other people’s Amazon accounts and use them to buy your products.  If you suspect a fraudulent buyer, report it to Amazon’s Seller Performance Team.

Fraudulent sellers and buyers exist both in the online and offline industry. But the risk is high for both in the online platforms even in know e-commerce sites such as the Amazon. There are tips, tricks, and advice that will allow you to figure which is true and real. Get the basic steps to avoid being scammed from this infographic.