Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

In the name of security Amazon Customer Service has instituted Customer Abuse. A few days ago I was prompted to change my Amazon password, which I did. Today I tried to sign in with the new password and got a message that they are sending me a verification email. The email never arrived (no it's not in my spam folder) and I requested it be resent 5 times after waiting for the countdown clock to expire each time, and it still never came.

So I called customer service and this lady started to ask me questions to verify my account, my name, address, zipcode, the last 4 digits on my credit card, my credit card expiration date, my last three Amazon purchases, the amount of the gift card I purchased. Then she said she had more questions and asked for the balance on my Amazon gift card account. I say I can't get that because I have to logon to see that balance and I am calling her because I can't logon. Then after waiting for her computer to generate more questions she asks for the ID code of my last purchase printed on my checking account statement.

At this point I log on to my bank and start looking for the code, and I tell the lady she is abusing me and how many more questions will there be. She says she doesn't know but has to keep asking questions. I tell her again she is abusing me as a customer and she hangs up.

I call back and ask to speak to a supervisor but just get an arrogant sadistic man who says there's nothing he can do, I have to start answering the questions all over again. I said this is crazy and I won't do business with Amazon if they can't resolve this with just three more questions. He answers real arrogantly "would you like me to cancel your account?" I say sure and call him a torrent of filthy names at which he laughs and hangs up.

That's why I'll never use Amazon again. Of course I couldn't if I wanted to because I can't log on. I spent 7 years working in credit card authorization for American Express and authorized purchases of many thousands, once even $250K at an international airport on a Sunday night, faster and with fewer questions to verify the card holder's identity than Amazon can to reset my logon.

I am emailing a copy of this post directly to Jeff Bezos jeff@amazon.com, just to see if he or his team gives a crap.

..............

This is the email I sent Jeff Bezos.

to jeff, me

I posted this on the City Data Retirement Forum today. Just wonder if you care. I'm not holding my breath. I saw you on a TV interview recently and wonder how a person as bright as you could entrust your company's reputation and future to a bunch of morons.

Attached is a screen shot of my post and why I am never using Amazon again, even though I have a cash balance on my gift card..

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

That is certainly an unfortunate experience. Personally, I have had no problems with Amazon customer service. They have always been friendly, courteous and able to resolve any issues I have had. I couldn't survive very well with out them so I sure hope nothing ever goes wrong.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

I suspect the message you received prompting you to change your amazon password was a scam.
They probably requested you to submit your user name and password in order to implement the change.
Then they logged into your Amazon account and tried to buy stuff.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

My wife got an email like that a few days ago. It was near perfect. When hovering over the From field, it was from a gmail account.

I would be checking my credit card very carefully and frequently for awhile.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Take it a step further - I'd be on the phone with my credit card company soonest, reporting a possible fraudulent attack, shutting down my old card and requesting a completely new one. One time, with one of the biggest credit card companies as a good customer for decades, it took me months of hassles to clear up a charge that was accidentally applied to my account. I imagine a fraudulent charge could be worse.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

looks like you fell for a phishing scam. I would run to credit card Co and cancel that card

twowindsbear

VERY carefully examine that original message. Had this been a legit message from Amazon, you would have received instructions to go to the secure message area for your account to read an importsnt message. Good luck

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

I agree with the others that you were not talking to an Amazon employee. Definitely sounds like a scam.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

To our OP: Note the action above is much more important than griping on UHH about something that is very possibly your mistake.

Bill_de Loc: US

The "from" email address is usually the easiest way to recognize a scam.

From Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GRGRY7AQ3LMPXVCV

---

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

Someone else not long ago was complaining about having to reset their Amazon password. I ordered from Amazon a couple weeks ago using the app and all went as usual.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

A friend of mine did this same thing after receiving an email that looked like it came from Amazon....you were hacked.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I got an email back from the one I sent to Jeff Bezos' office giving me a phone number to call. I spoke to the Amazon rep and it was not a phishing scam. He could not tell me why my account was blocked but after asking all the same questions he unblocked my account and I have access now.

Apparently they have a list of questions that have to be answered because it was all the same questions I was asked before plus I had to access my bank statement to answer the last question and give them the code for a recent debit transaction.

I had a $12 balance on my gift card and I had to spend it or lose it so I ordered something for $20. As soon as I get it I will log back on and close my account. The fact they couldn't tell me why my account was blocked or if it would happen again was enough for me to cut ties with them forever.

To those who said it was a phishing scheme or that I was hacked, and it was probably my fault, you were wrong. It was just Amazon being Amazon with beefed up security protocols and untrained staff. To those who said they always had a good experience with Amazon, so did I, usually. But it's the third time they have caused me grief in as many years. Three strikes and you are out! Anything I can buy on Amazon I can buy elsewhere, sometimes for a better price.

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

I don't purchase from Amazon very often, usually if I am shopping for something and it's on Amazon...I just look up the website of the company that is selling it on Amazon and purchase it directly from their website and...yes, it's normally cheaper.

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

I'm glad for you that it wasn't a con.