Unusual Amazon purchases? Not really.

Several people, including my brother, have told me in the past couple of weeks they've been alerted to alleged purchases on their credit cards or "unusual" purchases on their Amazon accounts only to eventually find out the claim was false. What should you do if this happens to you?

Let's start with what you DO NOT DO:
1) Do not give the caller or sender of the email your requested personal information.  They are trying to access your username, password, credit card number, etc. so that they may indeed make purchases with that information.
2) Don't click on any link in the email you've been sent "warning" you of this problem/purchase.
3) Do not panic; it is NOT an emergency.

What SHOULD YOU DO?
1) Hang up if you receive a phone call alerting you to this kind of activity.
2) If concerned, log in to your bank account, credit card or Amazon account to view recent activity.  Enter the URL in the browser; DO NOT use a link provided in the email.
3) If you have questions about your credit card being used, call the number located on the back of your card NOT the one in the email.
4) Stay calm and know there are customer service departments, not the caller on the phone, to answer your questions if you feel the need to contact someone about the alleged charge.

Scammers are professional criminals.  Their goal is to steal your identity and financial information. They know what they are doing and hope that you don't.  If you do slip up and give out your bank account info or credit card information, immediately contact those companies.  More than likely, they will then monitor your account for unusual activity rather than close the account.

Stay alert, be cautious, and keep your personal information private.