Bogus customer support is the new ecommerce plague

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How much are tariffs actually costing customers at checkout? If you were hoping Amazon would break it down for them, don’t hold your breath. 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 🚨
• Sell on Walmart before July for back-to-school boost 🎒
• 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

Start selling on Walmart.com by July to capture peak back-to-school sales

Back-to-school seasonal demand is second only to holiday season with highly promoted sales that can drive traffic, boost your brand and fuel sales. Launch your store now to ensure you're selling in time to capitalize on the back-to-school traffic surge.

Right now, Walmart’s New-Seller Savings event is offering new sellers up to $75K in incentives, which includes up to 75% off base referral fees and generous credits toward advertising and fulfillment.*  

Walmart is one of the world's most recognizable brands with over 255 million customers and members shopping at Walmart online and in-store around the world each week. New-Seller Savings run from sign up to January 31, 2026, so don’t wait—the faster you start, the more opportunities you’ll have to save. 

To take advantage of this unprecedented offer and the endless opportunities on Walmart.com.

*Conditions apply.

Join Walmart Marketplace Today.

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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. 🎁
  • Run contests with unique hashtags to track participation.
  • Share stories of success from your followers to build momentum.
  • Offer incentives—but keep it genuine to avoid feeling pushy.
• 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.