Amazon is warning customers of two scams it describes as ‘creative’ in trying to steal people’s cash.

The home delivery giant is sending emails to its subscribers to warn them of recent attempts by fraudsters to con people into handing over money or personal details.

The first one –described as a Prime membership scam – involves customers receiving unexpected texts and calls from criminals pretending to work for Amazon to alert them to a problem with their membership.

Those on the receiving end of the call will be told there is a problem with their account, or that there is the need to pay extra money to bring it back on track, which is aimed at convincing people caught off guard into making a payment or sharing account information to reinstate the membership.

The second instance relates to fraudsters ringing or texting customers telling them that their account is about to be suspended unless they take immediate action. They will then be sent what is a fraudulent link, that appears to be from Amazon, and is designed to tempt people into handing over sensitive information.

The retailer is reminding customers that the company will never ask people to provide payment information for products or services over the phone and people should check the URL of links they are sent before clicking.

Legitimate websites will include ‘amazon.co.uk’ or ‘amazon.co.uk/support’ in the URL.

Those who do wish to speak to a customer service agent, either with an issue of their own or to verify an email or text they’ve been sent, should go through the Amazon app on smartphones or through the website to obtain the correct contact information or links.