Amazon Introduces AI-Powered Scam Verification Tool Within Alexa for Shopping

Amazon has introduced a new feature within its Alexa for Shopping platform to help customers verify whether messages they receive are genuine or scams. The tool, which uses AI to compare customer-submitted communications with Amazon's records of sent messages, is initially available in the US and will be expanded to more regions in the future.

Customers can ask Alexa questions like 'Did Amazon send me a text about a delivery problem yesterday?' or 'I got a call about a refund from someone saying they're from Amazon. Was that real?' The tool checks details such as where the communication came from, when it was received, and what it said against Amazon's records.

Scott Knapp, vice president of worldwide buyer risk prevention at Amazon, said: 'Scammers thrive when customers can't easily verify whether a message is real. That's why we built a tool to put certainty directly in customers' hands, in real time, when they need it most.'

The technology analyzes general patterns such as URLs or scam language to determine the legitimacy of a message. If the communication is from Amazon, Alexa will respond with 'Yes, this message is an official Amazon communication,' along with tips to secure the account.