In a new initiative to thwart fraudsters, Amazon’s agentic Alexa for Shopping platform now can tell consumers whether a message, email, phone call or text they received really came from the company.
Consumers now can ask Alexa for Shopping about a suspicious message received by providing information about where the message originated, when it arrived and what it said.
Initially designed to help customers find products, compare items and manage their shopping carts using natural conversation, Alexa for Shopping has been updated to incorporate a verification tool that expands on initiatives to combat fraudulent messaging. Earlier this year, the company launched [email protected], to which consumers can forward a suspicious message and receive a verified response confirming whether it’s genuinely from Amazon. No app or Amazon account is required, the company pointed out. Customers also can access a dedicated verification form on Amazon’s customer service pages that can walk them through submitting communication details and provide an instant result.
Now, consumers can simply ask Alexa for Shopping, submit information and get a response. Amazon checks it against every communication the company has sent, analyzing sender information, content, timing and formatting, the company maintained. Within seconds, consumers get confirmation about whether a communication is from Amazon, not from Amazon, or if Amazon is unable to verify the status of the communication. It also provides tips about what to do next if the communication is false or not verifiable, including how to submit additional information.
Every response includes safety tips and educational guidance, such as: “Amazon will never ask for your password, a one-time passcode or sensitive personal information over the phone.” When a consumer asks Alexa for Shopping to verify a message, Amazon proactively reports it to the company’s customer protection and enforcement team. Every report feeds information to help identify emerging scam tactics, take down bad actors and protect more customers.
