Weld County, CO – Residents setting up new TVs or streaming services are being urged to stay alert after a Weld County resident reportedly lost $2,500 in an alleged scam linked to a fake Prime Video setup website.
According to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), deputies are investigating a report involving fraudulent charges on a victim’s financial accounts that began shortly after the purchase of a new television.
Authorities say the victim attempted to set up Amazon Prime Video and found what appeared to be a customer service website. The victim then contacted a man who identified himself as “Steve” and claimed to be with customer support. According to investigators, the man instructed the victim to download an application to help connect the Prime Video account.
WCSO says the victim later provided financial information to the alleged scammer and spoke with him again over the next two days. The situation came to light after the victim’s bank detected suspicious activity and alerted them to the unauthorized charges.
Officials warn that scammers often create fake websites and online ads designed to closely resemble official streaming or retail sites. These pages may appear in search results and trick users into sharing login credentials or granting remote access.
Amazon advises customers to only use Amazon.com or Amazon.com/support when setting up or making changes to their accounts. Warning signs of scam websites include numerical web addresses, misspellings, links that redirect outside official domains, and web addresses that change when hovering over links.
The Federal Trade Commission also cautions consumers to never give remote access to someone who contacts them unexpectedly, as it can expose personal and financial information.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a similar scam is encouraged to contact their bank immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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