scamBBBA stolen Kindle or Fire is hardly the only risk for the unwary. Repair scams are proliferating.

Threats range from malware to identity theft, not just a device still out of whack.

On a Kindle forum, an owner tells how he went to a repair-related Web site that passed itself as part of Amazon.

“They had me connect my Kindle to my laptop. That should have been my first warning. They said all my network had been hacked by foreigners. She then transferred me” to a dodgy site.

“They supposedly cleaned my computer and guaranteed the work. Fortunately they did not take my credit card and are expecting me to mail them a check.”

Even if you Kindle for Fire is out of warranty, your first step should be to contact Amazon. If nothing else, you might be able to get a discount on a replacement. Don’t let $100 go down the drain because you dealt with an unknown site.

Amazon, in fact, won’t charge you a penny for phone support. Just be sure that the site address include an amazon.com in it.

Support numbers:

  • Toll free: 1-888-280-4364
  • International: 1-206-266-2992
  • 1-866-321-8851 (inside the United States)
    1-206-266-0927 (outside the United States)

Also, sign into your Amazon account and check out the company’s contact page and device support page.

(Via The eBook Reader.)

Image credit: Better Business Bureau.

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