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Bogus customer support is the new ecommerce plague

Posted on by SellerBites

How much are tariffs actually costing customers at checkout? Despite early reports, the company now says it has no plans to show shoppers how import charges affect prices.

Here are a few things to make up for it:

  • Fake customer support scams are rising 🚨
  • Cash in on summer peak with Walmart ☀️
  • Amazon eases Premium Shipping rules 📦
  • Get more customers posting your brand 📸

BLACK MARKET

It’s no longer just bad reviews that haunt sellers online. It’s bogus customer service accounts that jump into the conversation, offer a “fix,” and walk away with your customer’s personal info, money, or worse. 

USA TODAY reported that Amazon recently had a 33% surge in customer service impersonation scams—most of it happening on social media.

🔍 How the scam works

Scammers are getting smarter and sneakier.

  • They  monitor complaint posts, respond as “support,” and lure your customer into a fake refund process. 
  • Some even direct them to sketchy sites or convince them to download malware. 

The worst part? Your brand takes the hit. 

Customers rarely blame the scammer. They blame you. You were hard to reach. You didn’t help. They posted a problem and someone responded, just not the real you.

👁️ Watch out 

  • Fake support accounts using your brand name or logo to engage with customers online.
  • Google search traps—scammers buying ads for fake phone numbers tied to brands, especially during peak seasons.
  • Phishing DMs from “support reps” who step in before you even see the comment.

What you can do:

  • Stay alert. Monitor social media mentions and replies regularly. 
  • Make your channels painfully obvious. Add clear links on your site and socials showing where customers can find real support. 
  • Teach your customers. Let them you’ll never ask for gift cards, bank logins, or remote access. Ever.
  • Watch those claims. If you’re Fulfilled by Amazon, unusual A-to-Z claims might be red flags. 

You work too hard to build trust with your customers—don’t let a fake support agent unravel it in a few sketchy messages.

You can check out Amazon’s official post here:

TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE

Cash in on peak summer season with Walmart Marketplace 

Millions of shoppers turn to Walmart.com every summer for travel must-haves, outdoor essentials and seasonal gear. That surge in demand creates a huge opportunity for eCommerce businesses selling swim products, patio furniture, grills, camping gear and more. If you’re not selling on Walmart Marketplace yet, now’s the time to join—before summer demand heats up. 

Just ask NexGrill, an outdoor cooking and heating brand that joined Walmart Marketplace in 2022. With access to millions of customers, zero monthly fees, and powerful eCommerce tools, they grew from a small startup to a global brand in just two years. Today, they’re a Pro Seller with nearly triple the SKUs and a 200% YOY revenue increase. 

Now’s your chance to follow their lead, and as a new seller you’re eligible to save up to $75,000 in New-Seller Savings, Walmart’s incentive program going on now.  

It’s their biggest offer ever and includes: 

  • Up to 75% off base referral fees*  
  • Up to 50% off storage fees and 25% off fulfillment fees** (a $2K value)  
  • $1K in advertising credits with Walmart Connect***  

Don’t wait—New Seller Savings runs through January 31, 2026, but the sooner you start, the more you can save. List your products now and make this your biggest summer yet. 

*Conditions apply.

Join Walmart Marketplace Today.

BITES OF THE WEEK

SELLER REFRESHER

Amazon lowers the bar for Premium Shipping

Starting June 29, Amazon is easing up on delivery performance demands for sellers handling their own 1- or 2-day shipping.

According to Supply Chain Dive, the rigid 97% on-time delivery requirement is dropping to 93.5%, giving sellers a bit more breathing room.

🔄 What’s new?

Along with the lower on-time delivery threshold, here’s what else Amazon is rolling out:

  • Weekly reviews: Instead of checking performance once a month, Amazon will now monitor your shipping weekly.
  • Warning system: Two strikes and you’re out—miss the mark twice, and you’re off Premium Shipping.

Even the best sellers face delays now and then. This update means one or two rough weeks won’t immediately cost you your spot.

📦 Are you still in?

To stay in the Premium Shipping game, make sure you’re:

  • Using reliable carriers with strong tracking systems
  • Syncing order cut-off times with realistic fulfillment hours.
  • Tracking carrier performance weekly, not just monthly.
  • Setting delivery expectations with customers that you can confidently meet.

Pro tip: If you’re borderline on hitting that 93.5% on-time mark, tighten your order handling window to build in a buffer.

SOCIAL PULSE

How to get customers to post about your brand

Forget polished campaigns and expensive shoots—your customers are already creating content that sells. You just need to tap into it. SocialFirm shared a few ways you can do that:

  • Launch engaging campaigns that inspire action. 🎁
  • Optimize your digital presence for maximum impact. 💥
    • Feature UGC prominently on your website and product pages.
    • Integrate UGC across all your marketing channels, from email to social media.
    • Use analytics tools to track which content drives engagement and sales.
  • Build a thriving community with curated content. 🧩
    • Highlight customer photos and videos regularly.
    • Create dedicated spaces, like a gallery or hashtag feed, for UGC submissions.
    • Curate high-quality UGC to inspire potential buyers and foster loyalty.

🗣️ UGC is proof

And the more you amplify it, the more likely new customers are to trust you. So open up your camera roll, repost what’s real, and let your customers do the talking.

Remember, authentic voices sell better than any ad.