Have you ever received an apparently harmless postcard that concealed a serious violation? Amazon is currently intensifying its efforts to combat this deceptive practice, as it violates two fundamental platform policies. This isn't merely a minor oversight—it represents a dual challenge to both user privacy and marketplace fairness.
Why Amazon Takes This So Seriously
The postcard solicitation method constitutes a double violation of Amazon's policies. First, it involves obtaining buyer addresses without permission and sending unsolicited mail, which directly infringes on user privacy and crosses data security boundaries. Second, these postcards often offer gift cards or other incentives to encourage positive reviews, severely undermining review authenticity and violating Amazon's strict Customer Review Policy .
Amazon's Advanced Detection Methods
The e-commerce giant has significantly upgraded its monitoring systems, making it nearly impossible for violators to evade detection. Sellers should be particularly aware of these three key detection mechanisms:
- Gift Card Pattern Recognition: Amazon's system automatically flags suspicious activity when multiple buyers leave positive reviews for the same product while redeeming gift cards of identical value—especially when the gift card amount approaches the product's price.
- Temporal Correlation Analysis: The platform's AI-powered risk models immediately trigger when review submission dates closely coincide with postcard receipt dates (typically within a three-day window).
- Buyer Complaint Verification: When dissatisfied customers report these practices by uploading postcard screenshots or mentioning rebates in their reviews, Amazon considers this definitive proof of policy violations.
The Consequences for Sellers
Facing Amazon's increasingly stringent enforcement, sellers must immediately audit their practices and correct any policy violations to avoid severe account penalties. The message is clear: compliance isn't optional—it's the only sustainable path for long-term success on the platform. Attempting to circumvent these rules carries significant risks that simply aren't worth taking.