You need Two-Factor Verification for your Amazon Account

If you have a strong password for your Amazon account, you may still want to consider beefing up the security with two-factor verification (or authentication), which will prevent a thief from accessing your account (which is possible if he gets ahold of your password and username somehow).

2D

  • Log onto your Amazon account.
  • Have your mobile phone with you.
  • Click “Your Account.”
  • Scroll down where it says “Settings—Password, Prime & E-mail.”
  • Click “Login & Security Settings.”
  • Go to “Change Account Settings” and at the bottom is “Advanced Security Settings.” Hit “Edit” there.
  • You are now on the page for setting up two-step verification. Hit “Get Started.”
  • You will see two options. For ease of setting up the two-factor, choose the text message option.
  • Follow the instructions and wait for the texted code.
  • Enter the code and click the “continue” button.
  • You will now be on a page for adding a backup number—which is required.
  • You cannot use the same phone number you just did for your initial setup. If you do not have a landline for the backup number, and your only phone is a “dumbphone,” you will not be able to use the two-factor service from Amazon.

Robert Siciliano CEO of IDTheftSecurity.com, personal security and identity theft expert and speaker is the author of 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Your Identity Was Stolen. See him knock’em dead in this identity theft prevention video.