Just as tens of millions of Americans are preparing to start their Black Friday shopping, the nation's largest retailer is admitting to a "technical glitch" that inadvertently released customer email addresses.
But it is giving very few details, other than saying the site was not hacked, and that no other information than email addresses were released.
Amazon customers across the U.S. and Europe report receiving a strange email that almost appears to be a phishing scam due to its vagueness.
The email reads:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR AMAZON.COM ACCOUNT
"We're contacting you to let you know that our website inadvertently disclosed your name and email address due to a technical error. The issue has been fixed.
This is not a result of anything you have done, and there is no need for you to change your password or take any other action."
Sincerely, Customer Service
http://Amazon.com
Some tech blogs began speculating that the email was a scam because of the way it is worded, the fact it tells you to not change your password and the signature that says "http" instead of "https" (which means secure).
But Amazon has confirmed to the The Register UK and The London Telegraph that the email and breach are real. Companies are required under British law to report any data breaches immediately, well before US law requires them to divulge an issue.
American customers are also reporting they have received the email.
What you should do
Amazon, though, is not saying how many customers were affected, if any information beyond email addresses were shared or whether the company was hacked.
Coming just one day before the start of Black Friday shopping, it is concerning.
An Amazon spokesperson is now saying “We have fixed the issue and informed customers who may have been impacted.”
However, several security experts suggests that you may want to change your password if you have received this message from Amazon.
As always, don't waste your money.
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