Description

In mid-November 2025, I received an email message from [email protected], requesting that I review a recent purchase. The email appeared legitimate and prompted me to take action. Logging into my Amazon account about a week later, I navigated to my Order History at https://www.amazon.com/gp/css/order-history?ref_=nav_orders_first. Upon finding the subject item, I clicked on "Write a Product Review." This action redirected me to https://www.amazon.com/review/review-your-purchases/edit?asin=B08CWY3TLW%3A5&ref_=pe_153576850_1224716290. where I wrote and submitted a review. When I clicked to submit the review, I was presented with an invitation to join Amazon Vine, a program that allows certain Amazon reviewers, known as "Vine Voices," to receive free products in exchange for honest reviews. Already familiar with the Amazon Vine program, I found this offer convincing for a couple of specific reasons: 1. The invitation, hosted on amazon.com, seemed authentic, 2. The details about the benefits and responsibilities of becoming a Vine Voice were comprehensive. The information also indicated that because Amazon Vine Voices receive products without charge, these items must be reported as income, necessitating the completion of a W-4 form. The URL with which I was interacting at that point was fully functional and appeared to be https://www.amazon.com/vine_tax-interview_landing. Trusting that this was legitimate, I proceeded to fill out what I believed was secured information relative to a W-4 form on amazon.com. This included giving my name, address, and Social Security number. Excited about becoming an Amazon Vine Voice, I submitted all required information. Following this interaction, for approximately 25 minutes, I also then browsed through available Amazon Vine items, which consisted primarily of auto parts and inexpensive gift items listed at https://www.amazon.com/vine/vine-items. Later that day, when I logged back into Amazon.com, I noticed that there was no Vine emblem next to my name in my profile. Concerned about my status in the program, I telephoned Amazon Customer Service where a representative confirmed that I was not enrolled as an Amazon Vine Voice. Further, she informed me that Amazon never requests Social Security numbers of its members. At this point, it became obvious that I had fallen victim to a scam. Alarmingly, my browsing history for the entire suspect period shows only URLs at amazon.com. As of the filing of this BBB report, I have submitted reports of the subject incident via the Amazon protocol and have received nothing more than automated replies from Amazon in return. During the first week of December 2025, I also sent a hard-copy incident report via USPS certified mail to Jeff Bezos' attention. I will follow up with BBB when/if Mr. Bezos and his team reply and advise me of the following: 1. Ways in which Amazon can assist in safeguarding my identity at this juncture, 2. Any steps Amazon recommends my taking to rectify this situation.