Amazon entrusts Alexa with checking suspicious messages

Key Takeaways

1Amazon allows users to ask Alexa for Shopping if a received message is authentic

2The AI compares the communication to its own archives and analyzes the metadata

3Nearly 360,000 customers contact customer service each year for this reason

4Other verification channels exist, such as verify@amazon.com and an online form

Why it matters : With scams on the rise, Amazon is strengthening its tools to help customers distinguish between real and fake messages.

Amazon adds to Alexa for Shopping a feature to help determine if a message allegedly sent by Amazon is authentic. The tool compares the email to its internal references and analyzes the metadata, while the company maintains dedicated reporting channels. This development is part of a refocus of Alexa on commerce-related uses.

Personalized Alerts and Web and Mobile Access

Amazon has recently integrated an option into Alexa that allows users to be notified when an important event occurs, such as the release of a new product by a favorite brand, the publication of a book by a followed author, or the launch of an album by an artist. Alexa for Shopping is available on both the Amazon website and its mobile app. The assistant already offers several commerce-related services, including searching for personalized deals, creating shopping guides, assisting with recommendations for everyday items, AI-generated product previews, and transcribing handwritten shopping lists. These features illustrate Alexa's refocus on supporting customers in their purchases and providing proactive assistance.

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Verifying the Origin of a Message via Alexa for Shopping

Customers can now use Alexa for Shopping to determine if a message received, claiming to be from Amazon, is indeed authentic. According to Amazon, the artificial intelligence is capable of definitively confirming that the communication originates from its own systems by comparing it with billions of messages sent worldwide. The evaluation is based on criteria such as the sender, content, date and time of sending, as well as the metadata associated with the message. Amazon notes that the system will improve over time thanks to reports of suspicious messages from customers, which will enhance scam detection. This announcement was made on Wednesday.

Volume of Doubts and Existing Verification Channels

Amazon states that nearly 360,000 customers contact its customer service each year to verify whether a received message is legitimate or fraudulent. In addition to Alexa, the company launched the address verify@amazon.com earlier this year, to which a suspicious message can be forwarded for confirmation. An online form on Amazon's support site also offers this verification service.

Types of Scams Targeted by the System

The system addresses cases such as fake order confirmations, fraudulent Prime subscription renewal notifications, messages warning of account suspension, package delivery alerts, and employment scams.