Amazon scam phone calls: how to spot the fake call
Quick answer
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.
- Comes by
- Phone call, Voicemail, Text
- Pretends to be
- Amazon
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers call or send a message that claims there's a problem on your Amazon account: an order you didn't place, a subscription that is about to renew, or a security issue. In one version the FTC describes, a recorded message says it is Amazon and tells you to press 1 to talk to someone.
Amazon's help page says they create false emergencies to rush you. They may ask for your Amazon password, bank or card details, or payment by bank transfer or gift card. Some ask you to install an app, give remote access or read out a one-time password. They spoof the phone number so the call looks like it comes from Amazon.
The aim is money, your login or access to your device.
Red flags
- A recorded message that says it's Amazon and tells you to press 1
- A claim of a suspicious purchase you never made
- A request for a one-time passcode, password or card details
- A request to install an app or share your screen
- Payment demanded by gift card or bank transfer
- Caller ID showing Amazon, which can be faked
Example message
This is Amazon. We have detected a suspicious purchase of an expensive item on your account. Press 1 to speak to our fraud team, or call [phone number] to cancel the order.
What to do
- 1
Hang up
Don't press any key and don't call back the number that called you or a number left in a voicemail or text.
- 2
Check your orders
Open the Amazon app or website yourself and look at Your Orders. Amazon says if you got a message about an order you didn't place, it likely wasn't from Amazon.
- 3
Never share a one-time code
Amazon says its representatives will never ask for a one-time password over the phone.
- 4
If you shared card details or paid
Check your statements and ask your card issuer to dispute any charge you don't recognize.
- 5
If you gave remote access
Disconnect from the internet, run a security scan and change your passwords from a different device. See what to do after a data breach.
- 6
Report it
Report the scam through Amazon's report a scam page and to the FTC.
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
Amazon impersonators work from lists of phone numbers, and they can name your town or a real recent order if they bought your details. Those details come from data breaches and people-search sites. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list your name, address and phone number and sends the removal requests, and it alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
More Amazon scams
Frequently asked
Will Amazon call me about a suspicious order?
Amazon tells customers to check Your Orders in the app or on the website rather than act on a call. If a call or text is about an order you didn't place, it likely wasn't from Amazon.
Is Amazon a scam?
No. Scammers pretend to be Amazon and its support teams.
What if I pressed 1?
Pressing 1 usually connects you to a scammer. Hang up, don't give details and watch your accounts.
Where do I report an Amazon scam call?
Use Amazon's report a scam page, then report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.