Safety and Security Tips

• Choose a Strong Password
• Protect Your Passwords
• Protect Your System
• Be Wary of Unsolicited E-mails and Phone Calls
• If You're a Buyer, Only Use Amazon for Marketplace Transactions
• If You're a Seller, Only Ship To Addresses Provided By Amazon

Choose a Strong Password

• Use at least 8 characters (a minimum of 6 is required).
• Don't use dictionary words, your name, e-mail address, or other personal information that can be easily obtained.
• Avoid passwords that are easy to guess, such as "secret," "password," or "letmein."
• Although they're not required, adding numbers or special characters to your password will make it even stronger.

Protect Your Passwords

• Always log out when you complete an online session on a public computer or terminal.
• Keep your passwords private; anybody who knows your password may access your account.
• Avoid using the same password for multiple online accounts.
• Change your password frequently.

Protect Your System

Some phishing e-mails contain attachments and link to websites that try to install malicious software on your computer. Here are some ways you can help protect your system against these types of threats.

1. Install anti-virus or anti-malware software from a reputable company.

   Once it's installed, be sure to run a full scan of your computer regularly. You'll also want to run a full scan if you visit a site through a link in a phishing e-mail or open an unsolicited attachment.

   Please be aware that that there are many fake anti-malware products out there. Don't install one from a website that tells you your computer is infected, as these warnings are fake. Microsoft has free anti-malware software at http://microsoft.com/security. We also sell many reputable programs on Amazon.com.

2. Check for and install updates for all programs on your computer.

   Run Windows Update if you have a Windows computer or Software Update if you have a Mac. We also strongly recommend that you make sure Adobe Flash, Adobe Reader, and Java are all up to date on your computer.

3. If you've typed a password on a malicious website, change it on the legitimate website immediately.

   Select strong passwords of eight characters or more that include a variety of letters, numbers, and symbols. You can learn how to change your Amazon.com password on our Help page about Changing Your Name, E-mail Address, and Password.

4. If you entered your credit card information on a malicious website or replied to an email with that information, immediately contact your credit card company.

   Many fake e-mail messages ask you to respond with your credit card number or click a link and type it there to "verify your identity." If you did so, your credit card number may have been stolen and we recommend that you contact your credit card company to report it and get a new card issued. Don't forget to update the card on Amazon.com afterward.

5. Never reply to unsolicited messages.

   Replying to phishing and spam messages only confirms to the sender that they have a valid e-mail address to send more spam and phishing to. If you want to unsubscribe from Amazon mailings, do so directly through our website instead of clicking a link in an e-mail.

Be Wary of Unsolicited E-mails and Phone Calls

• We'll never call or e-mail you to ask for your Amazon.com password, credit card, or banking account number.
• That information should only be submitted when completing an order with us, registering to sell on Amazon, when contacting us directly, or when making updates to Your Account or Seller Account areas.
• If you receive a suspicious e-mail with a link to update your account information, don't click on the link--instead go directly to www.amazon.com and then to Your Account to update the information.
• For help determining whether or not a contact came from Amazon, please visit our Identifying Amazon E-mail page.

If You're a Buyer, Only Use Amazon for Marketplace Transactions

• Review the seller's feedback to see what other customers say about their experiences with the seller.
• Only place Marketplace orders through the Amazon Shopping Cart or 1-Click; never pay using an alternative method like check, cash, money order, etc.
• Marketplace orders not made through the Shopping Cart or 1-Click aren't covered by the Amazon.com A-to-z Guarantee.

If You're a Seller, Only Ship To Addresses Provided By Amazon

• Only ship Marketplace orders to the address in the order confirmation e-mail sent to you by Amazon.
• If a buyer asks you to ship to a different address, cancel the order if possible and ask the buyer to purchase the item again using the updated address.