Amazon AirPod Raffle Text Scam & How to Avoid it

Is the Amazon AirPods raffle text a scam?

Yes, the Amazon AirPods raffle text message claiming you’ve won a pair of Apple AirPods, an Apple Watch, wireless headphones, or some other valuable item as a prize, is a scam and it is not real.

How to spot the scam

Despite being fairly obvious to the trained eye, scams like the Amazon AirPods raffle scam can still trip people up just by being so tempting. 

Many turn a blind eye, even when something appears too good to be true. This is even more likely with less tech-savvy individuals. Even if that isn’t you, it’s essential to be educated about existing scams and pass the info along to more vulnerable people, be it parents or clueless younger siblings.

This particular scam targets Amazon users, aiming to gain access to their Amazon account and personal and financial data. 

Here’s how the Amazon AirPods raffle scam usually goes: 

You receive a congratulatory text message that appears to be from Amazon. It states that you have won a pair of AirPods (or something similar). All you need to do is follow a link to set up delivery. 

If you follow the link, you’ll be directed to a phishing website. Most likely, it will look convincingly like the real Amazon website. Here, you will be asked to complete a survey to become eligible for the Amazon raffle prize.

This, of course, is how the scammers steal your sensitive data. Seems obvious, but many fall for it. 

Here are some things you should watch out for if you don’t want to fall for one of these scams:

• Any texts messages or emails that aren’t from your friends or family members;
• Text messages or emails from your friends or family using unfamiliar email addresses or phone numbers;
• Messages about promotions, raffles, and rewards schemes that you have not opted into;
• Unexpected texts with suspicious links, even if the URL in the link appears legit at a glance.

On this article you can read about some of the most popular Amazon scams.

What to do if you receive an Amazon AirPods raffle scam text

The first thing you should do whenever you receive a suspicious, too good to be true offer is to verify its authenticity. 

In this case, if you have won a pair of Apple AirPods in an Amazon raffle, you would most likely receive the same message in your Amazon account, not just by text. Before you get too excited and click any links, take the time to check! Amazon even has an entire page dedicated to helping you figure out if such offers are valid. 

“Don’t click! The text message is not from Amazon and it is the latest in a long list of  impersonation scams that have been happening since the start of the pandemic, often using Amazon’s brand. The bogus raffle and suspicious link are part of a con used to trick people into visiting a phishing website, where they unwittingly share account credentials as well as personal and financial information with fraudsters.” the BBB warned back in March 2021.

Instead, report this phishing attempt to Amazon customer service and to stop-spoofing@amazon.com. They will investigate the situation and take action if necessary.

The next thing you might want to do is clean up your digital footprint. The best way to avoid a scam is to keep your contact details out of scammers’ hands. You can check out our guide on how to remove your personal information from the internet for more details on this. 

What to do if you fell victim to an Amazon AirPods raffle scam

Some of you may be seeking help after you have done the worst and followed a “phishy” Amazon AirPods raffle text link. 

Here’s what you should do next:

1) Upgrade your data privacy and security 

Immediately change your Amazon password as well as any other credentials such as online banking and email passwords that may have been compromised. And, if you aren’t already, consider using products and services to improve your online privacy and security. 

• A good VPN will keep your online sessions safe from external attacks. 
• An antivirus will safeguard your computer from viruses and other malicious software. 
• A data removal service will help you clean up your digital footprint and make it harder for cybercriminals to gain access to your devices, online accounts, and your bank.

2) Block the scammer

Never try to engage with scammers yourself. Instead, take a screenshot of the message they sent you, note down any important information such as the phone number of the scammer, and block the number. 

3) Inform law enforcement

Contact your local police department to report the crime. Make sure to pass on any evidence and information you were able to collect. They will investigate the situation and deal with the criminals responsible.

4) File a complaint to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

It is also a good idea to report any instances of scams to the BBB. They will investigate the situation, warn others of similar scams, and help prevent scammers from operating. 

You can report fraudulent activity through the BBB here.

5) Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC is the primary agency for collecting and processing scam reports. Not only does this help the government detect scam patterns to prevent future crimes, but they can also take strong legal action against the offenders. 

You can report the scam to the FTC here or by phone at 1-877-382-4357.