Amazon scam calls, texts and emails: how to spot the fake
Quick answer
A call, text or email saying there's a problem with your Amazon account, a suspicious purchase or a refund you're owed is a known scam. Don't call back or click. Check your orders in the Amazon app or website, and never pay with gift cards.
- Comes by
- Phone call, Text, Email
- Pretends to be
- Amazon
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be Amazon. The FTC says scammers spoof their phone number so the call looks like it's from Amazon, so don't trust the caller ID.
The story changes but the goal is the same, to get you to hand over money, card details or control of your computer:
- The suspicious purchase. An automated call or text says someone bought something on your account and tells you to press a key or call a number to cancel it.
- The refund that went wrong. A fake rep offers a refund, 'accidentally' sends too much and asks you to send the difference back. The FTC says the scammer is really just moving your own money between your accounts.
- The hacked account. You're told hackers got in and you must buy gift cards to protect your money. Once you read out the card numbers, the money is gone.
- Remote access. The 'rep' asks to take control of your computer to process a refund.
- The refund text. The FTC warned in July 2025 about texts offering refunds for Amazon purchases you never made.
In a 2024 data release the FTC said consumers filed about 34,000 reports in 2023 about scammers pretending to be Amazon.
Red flags
- A call or text about a purchase you didn't make, with a number to call to cancel it
- Anyone who asks you to pay with gift cards, or to read out gift card codes
- A request for remote access to your computer or phone
- A refund 'overpayment' you're told to send back
- Pressure to act now, or to keep the call secret from your bank
- A phone number in caller ID that looks like Amazon's: it can be faked
Example message
Amazon: We noticed a charge of $[amount] for an order you may not have placed. If this wasn't you, call [phone number] now to cancel it.
What to do
- 1
Don't call back or click
Hang up, or don't answer the text. Skip the number in the message and the number in caller ID.
- 2
Check your orders yourself
Open the Amazon app or type the website address in yourself, and look at Your Orders and your Message Center. If there's no problem there, there's no problem.
- 3
Report it to Amazon
Amazon has a Report a Scam page for calls and texts. For emails, it asks you to send the message as an attachment to reportascam@amazon.com.
- 4
If you paid, call your bank right away
Tell your bank or card issuer it was fraud. For gift cards, contact the card company with the card number and receipt.
- 5
If you gave remote access, cut it off
Turn off the computer's internet connection, remove the remote-access software, change your passwords from a different device and tell your bank.
- 6
If you shared personal details
Change the passwords you mentioned, turn on two-step verification and report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.
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 pretend to be Amazon because nearly everyone has an account, so they can cast wide. Targeted versions use your name and phone number, which they can buy or look up on people-search sites.
Serus finds where your phone number, address and email are listed on people-search sites and other data brokers and removes them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach. That won't stop every message, but it leaves scammers with less to work from. If you clicked or shared anything, our guide on what to do after a data breach covers the next steps.
Common Amazon scams
- Amazon account scam call 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.
- Amazon brushing scam A parcel you didn't order may be a "brushing" scam: sellers send packages to publicly available names and addresses. Check it isn't a gift, then report it to Amazon. Amazon says it investigates and can suspend sellers who break its rules.
- Amazon delivery call scam A call about an Amazon order or delivery you didn't expect is a red flag. Amazon says it never asks for personal details, payment, gift card codes or remote access this way. Hang up, check Your Orders in the Amazon app or website, and report it.
- Amazon fraud call scam A call or recording that says Amazon spotted a suspicious charge and tells you to press 1 is a scam. Hang up. Don't press 1 or call a number they give you. Check your Amazon account yourself and report the call at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
-
Amazon impersonation fraud Scammers pretend to be Amazon with fake order emails and automated calls about a Prime charge. Action Fraud says Amazon never asks for personal information by email. Don't click, don't install anything, and check your order in the Amazon app. - Amazon order scam call A call, recording or message saying Amazon saw a big charge on an order you didn't place is a scam. The aim is to get you to call back and hand over passwords or card details. Hang up, check your order history in the Amazon app or site yourself, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Amazon phone call scam A call, voicemail or text saying Amazon found a suspicious purchase, a hacked account or an expiring Prime plan is a scam, even if caller ID says Amazon. Amazon says real staff never ask for one-time codes. Hang up, check your orders in the Amazon app or website, and report it.
- Amazon rewards text scam A text that says Amazon owes you a reward, prize or refund and asks you to click a link is a scam. Amazon says it won't text you to ask for personal information, payment details, gift card codes or to call a number. Don't click. Forward it to 7726 and report it to Amazon.
- Amazon scam call A call, text or email about an Amazon order you didn't place is almost always a scammer pretending to be Amazon. Amazon doesn't ask for payment details by phone. Hang up, check Your Orders in the real Amazon app or site, and report it.
- Amazon voucher call scam A call or text claiming to be Amazon that offers a voucher or free prize, or says your account was hacked, is a scam. Amazon is the company being impersonated. Never buy gift cards or share their codes, never give remote access, and don't call back a number from the message.
- Amazon gift card scam Anyone who tells you to pay with Amazon gift cards is a scammer. No real business or agency takes payment that way. Stop, keep the cards and receipts, and report it to the card company and the FTC.
Frequently asked
Is Amazon a scam?
No. Amazon is a real company, and the scam is people pretending to be it. Amazon publishes its own guidance on spotting fake messages and a page for reporting them.
Will Amazon ever ask for gift cards?
No. Amazon says it will never ask for gift card codes, payment details or personal information by text. The FTC says gift cards are a payment method scammers favor because the money is hard to get back.
How can I tell if a message from Amazon is real?
Open the Amazon app or website yourself and check your Message Center and orders. Amazon says real messages appear there.
I called the number. What now?
If you gave no details or money, block the number and report it. If you did, follow the steps above: call your bank, change passwords and report it to the FTC.
Sources
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2021/10/amazon-impersonators-what-you-need-know
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/did-you-get-call-or-text-about-suspicious-purchase-amazon-its-scam
- consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/scammy-texts-offering-refunds-amazon-purchases
- ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/05/new-ftc-data-shed-light-companies-most-frequently-impersonated-scammers
- amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html
- amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
