PS5, Xbox Series X Preorder Buyers Plague with Scam Emails: How to Spot Fake Retailers

After Sony revealed its newest PlayStation PS5 in June while Microsoft started its preorder for the new Xbox Series X in September, people around the world have been cramming to get hold of these sleek consoles. However, Kotaku has reported on November 3 that numerous clients received emails about a certain delay on their orders while others were contacted for new payment details.

PS5 preorder scam email

The problem is not really the delay in the delivery, but the email which apparently did not come from Amazon. It was first spotted by Australian media outlet Press-Start Australia, which noted that the email looked official as it advised the PS5 preorder buyers about a stock shortage for the gaming console.

"Due to Sony not delivering the agreed amount of Stock, your order for the PlayStation 5 console has been delayed until early 2021," the email stated. Although the emails were not requiring any kind of compensation, they raised fears towards the supplies for customers who preordered the PS5 console.

Meanwhile, Amazon confirmed that the emails were fake and it did not send the communications. "From time to time, customers may receive emails appearing to come from Amazon, which is actually false emails," Amazon said in a statement sent to Press-Start Australia adding that it takes smishing, phishing, and spoofing seriously.

The retail giant also advised the public that the correspondents may look similar to the actual email sent by Amazon, but they will often direct the customers to a fake website, which may obtain their account information, email address, and password.

Fake GAME order verifiers via Twitter

Another form of the scam was reported involving the UK retailer GAME as some of its customers were approached by scammers via Twitter. However, unlike the Amazon emails, which did not ask for any compensation, customers were reportedly tricked to make immediate payment for the PS5 and Xbox consoles they have preordered or to provide other card payment methods.

The retail company shared the issue on Twitter that a fake GAME account was used by culprits while it reassured its clients that it would never seek for payment information over social media. However, those who are less Internet savvy proved to be at high risk.

Twitter users who fell to the scam seek help as they replied to GAME's tweet. One Twitter user said she gave her order number to the fake Twitter account while another user was disgusted with scammers taking advantage of others.

Worse, some people even gave out their credit card information. Twitter user Maroofio tweeted: "Can you guys help me out cause I do actually need to change my card payment on my PS5 preorder!!"

The fake account has been deleted already

Report any suspicious scams

Meanwhile, recipients of suspicious emails, text messages, or phone calls claiming to come from Amazon should not share their personal information, particularly if they ask for payment or offer an unexpected refund.

Australian public can report these scams to ACCC-run cybersecurity service Scamwatch at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. People can also get additional information about existing scams on the internet on Scamwatch's website.

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Written by CJ Robles