DETROIT – Whether it’s a child car seat, kitchen appliance, or lawn tool, recall notices warn you of a potential safety risk. Now there’s a new warning from Consumer Reports: scammers are trying to trick you with phony recall notices. So how can you tell the difference between a legitimate recall and a scam? Consumer Reports reveals what you need to know to avoid being duped.
Like many of us, Taylor Frost Smith spends a fair amount of time scrolling and shopping.
Taylor says, “I frequently buy all different kinds of things at all hours of the night, having three little kids. I love Amazon.”
For Taylor, safety is top of mind. She notices when there’s a recall and says, “I also am very diligent to register my products because if there is a recall, I really want to know about it.”
That’s why she did a double-take when she got a text that says it’s an Amazon Product Recall Notice. Something she bought in December is under recall. Click the link to review the details and refund options. Taylor says, “Something seemed fishy.” “First thing I noticed is that it’s only for eighteen people from Amazon, and I started thinking, what is this?”
She went to her Amazon app. Plugged in that order number and asked Rufus -- Amazon’s AI tool-- if there’s a recall. Amazon confirmed no recall. And told her it was a phishing scam. So what’s in this for the scammers? They hope you’ll click the link and enter personal information, which they can steal and sell on the dark web.
If you get a text or something similar, don’t respond or click any links. You should always go to the app or website where you got the product and see if there’s news about a recall.
You can also check for recalls at recalls.gov or the CPSC, that’s the Consumer Product Safety Commission, dot gov. If you registered the product, you should receive an email or a letter in the mail with instructions on what to do.
Taylor says that checking the app is really what saved her. So make sure to double-check.
CR reviewed and worked with some of the biggest digital marketplaces to help ensure that they provide critical information, including recall information, to consumers. Amazon, like many online marketplaces, has a page listing the latest recalls and product safety alerts.
Don’t forget to register for recalls by filling out and mailing the registration card included with the product. You can also head to the manufacturer’s website and submit your contact info with the model number and purchase date. And Consumer Reports has recall trackers for food, cars, and baby products.
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