Amazon Scams — Fake Orders, Phishing Emails, and Gift Card Fraud

Margaret, a 72-year-old retired teacher from Ohio, opened her email one Tuesday morning and found a message that appeared to be from Amazon. It said she had been charged $499.99 for a new laptop she never ordered. A big yellow button at the bottom read "Cancel This Order Now." Margaret panicked and clicked the link. Within minutes, she had entered her Amazon password and credit card number on a website that looked exactly like Amazon but was actually run by criminals. By the end of the week, over $2,000 had been charged to her card.

Margaret is not alone. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Amazon is the most impersonated company in the world, and older adults are the most frequent targets. The good news is that once you know what these scams look like, they become much easier to avoid.

This guide will walk you through the most common Amazon scams, show you exactly how to spot them, and explain what to do if you think you have been targeted.

Why Scammers Love Using Amazon

Amazon has over 300 million active customers worldwide. Nearly everyone has an Amazon account or has received an Amazon package. This makes it the perfect cover for scammers because:

Most people will not question an Amazon email since they order from Amazon regularly
Amazon emails look simple and familiar, making them easy to copy
Older adults are growing online shoppers, and scammers know this
Fear of unauthorized charges makes people react quickly without thinking

If you shop on Amazon, you are a potential target. But being a target does not mean you have to be a victim.

The 6 Most Common Amazon Scams

1. Fake Order Confirmation Emails

This is the most widespread Amazon order scam. You receive an email saying you placed an order for an expensive item you never bought. The email includes a link to "view or cancel" the order. When you click the link, you land on a fake website that asks for your Amazon login, your credit card details, or both.

How to protect yourself: If you receive an order confirmation you do not recognize, do not click any links in the email. Instead, open a new browser window, go directly to Amazon.com, and check your order history. If the order does not appear there, the email was fake.

2. Phishing Emails and Texts

Amazon scams email messages come in many forms. Some claim there is a problem with your account. Others say your payment method needs updating. Some even say you have won a prize or are eligible for a special refund. All of them include a link that takes you to a fake website designed to steal your information.

Phishing texts work the same way but arrive on your phone. They might say something like "Amazon: Your package could not be delivered. Confirm your address here" followed by a suspicious link.

For a deeper look at how phishing works across all companies, read our guide on how to spot scam emails and text messages.

3. Gift Card Payment Scams

Amazon gift card scams are one of the most damaging types of fraud targeting seniors. Here is how they work: a scammer contacts you by phone, email, or even social media and claims you owe money. It might be a fake tax debt, a fake utility bill, or a fake legal fine. They then tell you to buy Amazon gift cards and read them the card numbers as payment.

This is always a scam. No legitimate company, government agency, or law enforcement office will ever ask you to pay with gift cards. Once you give someone the numbers on the back of a gift card, the money is gone and cannot be recovered.

We have a full guide explaining why scammers ask for gift cards and how to protect yourself.

4. Fake Amazon Customer Service Calls

An Amazon scam call usually begins with a robotic voice or a live person saying something like "This is Amazon calling about suspicious activity on your account" or "Your Amazon Prime membership is about to be charged $149.99." They then ask you to press a number or stay on the line to speak with a representative.

Once connected, the scammer may ask you to:

Share your Amazon login credentials so they can "fix" your account
Install remote access software so they can "help" you from their computer
Provide your bank account or credit card information for a "refund"

Amazon will never call you out of the blue to ask for your password, payment information, or remote access to your computer. If you receive a call like this, simply hang up.

5. Amazon Prime Membership Scams

Amazon Prime scams target the millions of people who pay for a Prime membership. You might receive an email or phone call saying your Prime membership is about to expire, that there was a billing problem, or that your membership fee is increasing and you need to confirm your payment method.

Some versions of this scam offer a fake "loyalty reward" or "Prime member discount" that requires you to enter your personal details on a fraudulent website.

How to check your real Prime status: Log in to your Amazon account directly by typing Amazon.com into your browser. Go to "Account & Lists" and then "Prime Membership." This will show you your actual membership status and billing details.

6. Fake Review and Refund Scams

Some scammers send packages you never ordered to your address. This is called a "brushing scam." The scammer uses your name and address to post fake positive reviews on Amazon, boosting their product ratings. While this scam does not directly steal your money, it means your personal information has been exposed.

Another version involves an email claiming you are owed a refund for a returned item. The email directs you to a fake refund page where you must enter your banking details to receive the money. Of course, instead of sending you a refund, the scammers use your bank information to steal from you.

How to Spot a Fake Amazon Email

Learning to recognize a fake Amazon email is one of the best ways to protect yourself. Here are the specific things to look for:

Check the sender address carefully. Real Amazon emails come from addresses ending in @amazon.com. Fake emails often come from addresses like amazon-orders@secure-notification.com or support@amaz0n-alerts.net. Look at the full email address, not just the display name.

Look for generic greetings. Amazon knows your name. If an email starts with "Dear Customer" or "Dear Amazon User" instead of your actual name, be suspicious.

Watch for urgency and threats. Phrases like "Your account will be locked in 24 hours" or "Immediate action required" are classic scam tactics. Amazon does not threaten to lock your account over email.

Hover over links before clicking. On a computer, move your mouse over any link without clicking it. A small box will show the real web address. If it does not go to amazon.com, do not click it. On a phone, press and hold the link to preview the address.

Look for spelling and grammar errors. While scam emails have become more polished, many still contain small mistakes that a major company like Amazon would not make.

Check your Amazon account directly. If an email mentions an order, a charge, or an account problem, do not use the links in the email. Open your browser, go to Amazon.com yourself, and check your account. If everything looks normal there, the email was fake.

For more general tips on staying safe while shopping online, visit our guide on how to shop online safely.

What to Do If You Think You Have Been Scammed

If you have already clicked a link, shared your information, or lost money to an Amazon scam, take these steps right away:

Change your Amazon password immediately. Go to Amazon.com, click "Account & Lists," then "Login & Security," and update your password. Choose a strong, unique password you do not use anywhere else.

Enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code sent to your phone every time someone tries to log in to your account.

Check your order history and payment methods. Look for any purchases you did not make. Remove any payment methods you do not recognize.

Contact your bank or credit card company. If you shared financial information, call your bank immediately. They can freeze your card, reverse unauthorized charges, and issue a new card number.

Report the scam to Amazon. Forward any suspicious emails to stop@amazon.com. Amazon has a dedicated team that investigates these reports.

Report the scam to the FTC. File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps law enforcement track and shut down scam operations.

For a complete walkthrough of how to report fraud, read our guide on how to report a scam.

5 Simple Habits to Keep Your Amazon Account Safe

You do not need to be a technology expert to protect yourself. These five habits will keep you much safer:

Never click links in unexpected emails or texts. Always go to Amazon.com directly by typing the address into your browser.

Never share your password with anyone. Amazon employees will never ask for it. Not by email, not by phone, not ever.

Never pay anyone with gift cards. This is always a scam, no matter what reason they give.

Use a strong, unique password for Amazon. Do not reuse the same password you use for your email or bank account.

Keep your phone number and email updated on your account. This ensures you receive real security alerts from Amazon when something actually needs your attention.

You Are Smarter Than the Scammers Think

Scammers count on catching you off guard. They want you to feel scared, rushed, and confused. But now that you know their playbook, you have the advantage. You know that Amazon will never call to ask for your password. You know that no real company accepts gift cards as payment. You know to go directly to Amazon.com instead of clicking links in emails.

Every time you pause, think, and verify before acting, you win. Share what you have learned with your friends and family. The more people who know these tricks, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.

You are not too old to outsmart a scammer. In fact, with the knowledge in this guide, you are already ahead of the game.