Scam call about your Amazon account: what it is and what to do
Quick answer
A call saying your Amazon account is suspended, hacked or charged for something is a scam. Amazon says it never asks for your password or payment details by phone. Hang up and open the Amazon app yourself to check your account.
- Comes by
- Phone call, Text, Email
- Pretends to be
- Amazon
- Last updated
How it works
The caller pretends to be Amazon and says something is wrong with your account: it will be suspended or deleted, or a purchase needs confirming. Amazon's help pages call these account suspension and deletion scams.
The next step is a request to "verify your account". That can mean following a link, reading out your login or card details, or installing software so the caller can "fix" the problem. Amazon says it never asks for your password or sensitive personal information over the phone or on any outside website.
Once they have your login or card, they can empty a linked card, order goods or take over your email.
Red flags
- A call or message saying your account will be suspended or deleted
- A request to verify your account by sharing a password or code
- A link that doesn't go to amazon.com
- A caller who wants you to install software or read out a code
- Someone insisting you stay on the line and don't hang up
- A caller who gets angry or more urgent when you say you'll check yourself
Example message
This is Amazon security. Someone has accessed your account and it will be locked within the hour unless you verify your details. Press 1 now or call [phone number] to speak with an agent.
What to do
- 1
Hang up without pressing anything
Don't press 1, don't call back and don't click. Call it a missed scam and move on.
- 2
Check your account from the app or site
Open Amazon yourself and look at your account details and messages. Real emails from Amazon are logged in the Message Center.
- 3
If you shared your password, change it now
Change the Amazon password and the same password anywhere else you use it. Turn on two-step verification and check for orders, addresses or payment methods you didn't add.
- 4
If you shared bank or card details
Call your bank or card issuer on the number printed on your card, say it was fraud, and ask for the card to be blocked and replaced.
- 5
If you gave remote access
Remove the remote access software, disconnect from the internet and change your passwords from a different device. Amazon's Report a scam page has specific steps for each case.
- 6
Report it
Report the call to the FTC. Amazon also takes forwarded phishing messages, even if you don't have an Amazon account.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers often have your name and phone number before they dial, which is why the call sounds personal. They get them from people-search sites, data brokers and old breaches. Serus finds the broker and people-search sites that list you and files removal requests, and it alerts you if your email or phone number appears in a breach.
More Amazon scams
Frequently asked
Why did I get a call about my Amazon account if I don't have one?
Scammers dial huge lists of numbers. Amazon says you can still report suspicious messages even if you don't have an account.
Will Amazon ask for my password?
No. Amazon says it never asks for your password or sensitive personal information over the phone or on any outside website.
How can I check whether the message was real?
Open the Amazon app or site yourself and look at the Message Center and your account. Don't use any link or number from the message.
I let the caller into my computer. What now?
Disconnect from the internet, remove the remote access software, change passwords from another device and call your bank. Then report it to the FTC.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
