OPINION: Amazon refunds are leading to scams

If you’re an Amazon Prime member who didn’t receive an automatic refund in the past couple of months, you might still be eligible.

However, proceed with caution because you might also become a scam target, the Federal Trade Commission is warning.

 A settlement last fall between the government and Amazon required the company to pay $1.5 billion in refunds to consumers because of what the FTC says were deceptive enrollment practices.

The agency accused Amazon of enrolling tens of millions of people into its Prime membership program without their knowledge or consent and making it “exceedingly difficult” to halt the subscription.

Under the settlement, eligible Prime customers will receive a refund of their subscription fees, up to a maximum of $51.

The company sent automatic refunds to some customers in November and December.

It is now sending claim notices to those who didn’t get the first round of payments. Those notices come with instructions on how to file, with repayments to be made later this year, the FTC says.

However, the process has set off a spate of scams from people claiming to be from the FTC or Amazon. They are making threats or telling people they must transfer money before receiving a refund.

That has prompted the FTC to issue a warning, saying neither the agency nor the company is calling people about these refunds.

“The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize,” the agency says at the top of its Amazon refund page. “And no one from Amazon will ever ask you for money to get a refund.”

Also beware of someone who tells you that if you pay a fee, they can ensure that you receive the subscription repayments.

“Only scammers say they can get you special access or a guaranteed refund,” the FTC says.

Eligibility for the refund depends on the circumstances under which the customer signed up and was unable to cancel, but those applying do not have to determine whether they’re eligible. Under the settlement, Amazon is required to conduct an analysis to determine eligibility.

For more information, visit www.SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com or send an email to admin@subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com. Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Contact Ellen Marks at emarks@abqjournal.com if you are aware of what sounds like a scam. To report a scam to law enforcement, contact the New Mexico Consumer Protection Division at 505-490-4060. Complaints can be filed electronically at nmag.gov/contact-us/file-a-complaint/.