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Amazon Scams: Recognize, Avoid & Report Fraudulent Activities

Amazon Scams: Recognize, Avoid & Report Fraudulent Activities

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Amazon’s popularity makes it a prime target for advanced scams using fake websites, emails, and messages. Guardio protects Amazon shoppers with real-time AI-powered defense against today’s most convincing frauds.
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Amazon’s popularity makes it a prime target for advanced scams using fake websites, emails, and messages. Guardio protects Amazon shoppers with real-time AI-powered defense against today’s most convincing frauds.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon scams come in many forms, such as phishing emails and fake websites, which target users at every step of their shopping journey.
  • AI has drastically lowered the entry barrier for cybercriminals, making professional-looking scams widespread, fast to deploy, and much more dangerous.
  • Quick verification habits like checking email senders, looking carefully at URLs, and avoiding urgent prompts are important daily practices for safe online shopping.
  • Guardio protects against Amazon scams by detecting homograph attacks, blocking fake lookalike links, and alerting users before they enter sensitive information on deceptive websites.

As online shopping continues to grow, the risk of falling victim to scams is also increasing. Amazon is one of the most popular shopping platforms worldwide, and thus, it is often a target for fraudsters. Scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick users, using emails, messages, and fake websites that appear to be Amazon clones. These scams aim to steal personal information and financial details, or simply trick people into making payments for fake products or services.

Recent studies show that scams are becoming more advanced and harder to detect. One major reason is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by scammers. According to Guardio’s latest research, AI is now helping fraudsters create highly convincing emails, websites, and customer service chats that look and sound authentic. This new trend is called "vibe scamming." Instead of relying on obvious fake messages, scammers create a feeling of trust, urgency, or familiarity to convince users to act quickly without questioning the situation. This emotional manipulation makes the scam harder to recognize.

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Common Types of Amazon Scams

Amazon scams come in many forms that target users through emails, websites, phone calls, text messages, and even product purchases or discount offers. Understanding these different scam types will help you stay protected from them:

Digital Scams

Many scams begin online through emails, fake websites, and tech support fraud, all designed to steal personal or payment information.

Phishing Emails (Order Confirmation / Account Deletion Scams)

Scammers send emails that look like they are from Amazon, often saying there is an urgent issue with your order or account. They may claim that an order you never placed needs confirmation, or that your account will be deleted unless you act quickly. These emails usually contain links to fake websites where scammers collect your login details and payment information.

Fake Amazon Websites

A phishing website mocking amazon.com in URL.

Some scammers create fake websites that look almost identical to Amazon's official site. They may lure users through search ads, emails, or text messages. These sites often trick users into logging in and making a purchase.

Tech Support Scams

Fraudsters may send emails or display pop-ups pretending to be Amazon support, warning of account issues or security breaches. They may ask you to call a fake support number, where they try to collect your sensitive information or charge you for unnecessary "support services."

Phone and Message-Based Scams

Scammers also target users directly through phone calls, texts, and fake job offers, often posing as Amazon representatives.

Unsolicited Phone Calls

Scammers may call pretending to be from Amazon's customer support or fraud department. They often claim there is a problem with your account, a suspicious purchase, or a billing issue, trying to convince you to give out account or payment information over the phone.

Amazon Job Scams

Fake job offers from "Amazon" are often sent through messages or emails, offering high pay for simple tasks like product reviews. In reality, these scams ask for upfront payments for training or steal personal information under the guise of recruitment.

Prime Membership Renewal Scams

A phishing site asking to extend the Amazon Prime membership detected by Guardio.

You receive a phone call, email, or text message saying your Amazon Prime membership is about to expire. Scammers pressure you to provide payment details immediately to "renew", often through fake links or over the phone.

Fake Delivery Notifications

Scammers send text messages or emails saying there is an issue with your package delivery. They may ask you to click a link to update delivery information or pay a small fee. These links often lead to phishing websites designed to steal personal data.

Purchase-Related Scams

Fraudsters also exploit Amazon’s marketplace with scams related to gift cards, fake deliveries, and dishonest sellers.

Gift Card Scams

SMS with an external link to claim an Amazon Gift Card worth $100-$2000.

Scammers often send messages claiming that you have won a free Amazon gift card as part of a promotion or a Prime membership reward. The above image is a common example. These messages typically contain links to fake websites designed to steal your Amazon login credentials, payment information, or personal details. It is important to remember that Amazon does not offer prizes or rewards that require you to click suspicious links or provide sensitive information outside of their official platform.

Brushing Scams

If you receive Amazon packages you never ordered, you may be a target of a brushing scam. In this scam, sellers send products to random addresses to boost their store ratings with fake reviews.

Fraudulent Sellers

Some third-party sellers list products at low prices but never deliver them, or send counterfeit goods. These scams are designed to collect payments while avoiding Amazon’s protections by moving transactions outside the official platform.

How to Identify & Protect Yourself from an Amazon Scam

Guardio’s Tweet on Amazon being the second-highest imitated brand for online scams in July 2023.

Amazon was the second-most imitated brand in online scams. Knowing how to spot these scams and taking a few simple precautions can help protect your Amazon account and personal information.

  • Verify Emails, Numbers, and URLs: Always double-check who sent the email, message, or made the call. Scam emails often come from addresses that look strange, and fake websites may have small changes in spelling or extra characters in the URL.

  • Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links: If you receive a link claiming to be from Amazon, do not click it immediately. Go directly to Amazon's official website or app to check any alerts or account information yourself.

  • Be Wary of Urgency or Threats: Scammers often try to scare you by saying your account will be locked or a payment has failed. Stay calm because Amazon will never pressure you to act quickly through emails, texts, or calls.

  • Use Official Amazon Channels Only: Only use Amazon's official website, mobile app, or verified customer support numbers. Never trust a link or phone number sent through a random email, ad, or text message.

  • Report Suspicious Packages: If you receive an Amazon package you didn’t order, it could be part of a brushing scam. Always report unexpected deliveries to Amazon through your account under “Report a problem.”

  • Stay Informed and Monitor Scam Trends: Scammers change their tricks all the time. Keep up to date by checking Amazon’s security alerts and reading trusted cybersecurity resources to know what new scams look like.

  • Use Real-Time Protection Tools like Guardio: Guardio can block phishing websites, spot fake Amazon login pages, alert you if you land on dangerous links, and protect you before you even realize there’s a threat.

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Steps to Take If You’ve Been Scammed

If you think you’ve fallen for a scam, acting quickly can help protect your money, your identity, and your Amazon account. Here’s what you should do:

Secure Your Amazon Account

The first step is to lock down your Amazon account. Visit Log in and security settings to act immediately and check for any suspicious activity, such as unknown orders, payment changes, or new addresses added. If you notice anything strange, remove it and contact Amazon’s customer service for help.

Change Passwords & Enable 2FA

Amazon Two-Step Verification process.

Change your Amazon password right away and make sure it’s strong and unique. Then, turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) in your account settings. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a special code to be sent to your phone every time someone tries to log in.

Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Provider

If you shared payment details or made a payment through a scam link, call your bank or card provider immediately. They can freeze your account, reverse fraudulent charges, and issue a new card if needed. Acting fast can sometimes stop scammers from draining your account.

Report the Scam to Authorities and Amazon

Report the scam both to Amazon and your local authorities. Forward any suspicious emails to reportascam@amazon.com, and use Amazon’s platform to flag fake sellers or suspicious messages. Reporting helps Amazon track and shut down scammers faster and can also protect other users.

Monitor for Identity Theft or Leaks

Even after securing your accounts, stay alert. Scammers may try to use your stolen information later. Keep an eye on your credit reports, watch for strange emails or calls, and consider using an identity theft protection service.

How to Report an Amazon Scam

Reporting Amazon scams quickly helps protect not just your account, but also thousands of other shoppers. Amazon takes fraud, phishing, and scam attempts very seriously, and they offer different ways for users to report suspicious activities:

Reporting Method Action Steps
Forward Suspicious Emails or Texts to the Amazon Security Team If you get a strange email, text message, or call claiming to be from Amazon, forward it directly to reportascam@amazon.com. Attach the original message if possible, so Amazon can better track the scam.
Flag Fake Listings or Fraudulent Sellers on the Platform If you spot a suspicious product, seller, or offer while browsing Amazon, use the "Report suspicious activity" link on the product page. Reporting fake listings helps Amazon remove scams quickly and protect other shoppers.
Block and Report Unsolicited Calls or Job Offers Scammers sometimes pretend to be Amazon recruiters or support agents. If you get unsolicited job offers or suspicious phone calls, block the number and report it to Amazon. You can also report scam calls and texts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Use Amazon’s Official Channels to Report a Scam Amazon offers specific advice depending on what kind of information you might have shared. Whether you shared account details, bank info, or allowed remote access to your device, Amazon provides step-by-step instructions under their Protect Your System Help page.
Navigate the Help Section to Submit a Scam Report If you're unsure how to report a scam, go to Amazon’s Help section, search for “report suspicious activity,” and follow the links provided. You can also find sections dedicated to reporting unsolicited packages, gift card fraud, and brushing scams.

Every report you make helps shut down scammers faster, protecting not just your account, but millions of Amazon shoppers worldwide.

How to Protect Yourself from Amazon Scams with Guardio

A phishing site of Amazon that shows Prime Day offers and is detected by Guardio.

Scammers are getting smarter, and Amazon scams now appear in emails, texts, ads, and fake websites that look nearly identical to the real thing. Guardio gives you an essential layer of real-time protection that works across these attack surfaces. Here’s how Guardio helps you stay safe:

  • Blocks Fake Amazon Sites: Guardio identifies and blocks deceptive websites that mimic Amazon’s design and domain structure, often used to steal your login credentials or payment details.

  • Detects Scam SMS Messages on iOS: Guardio’s iOS app includes SMS scam filtering that flags suspicious Amazon-related texts, such as fake Prime renewal notices, delivery updates, or job offers.

  • Warns About Phishing Emails and Dangerous Links: Guardio scans the links you interact with, whether they come from emails, social media, or pop-ups, and warns you before you reach a fake login page or malicious site.

  • Alerts You to Leaked Credentials: If your Amazon login or associated email appears in a known data breach, Guardio notifies you so you can take immediate action, like changing your password and enabling 2FA.

  • Highlights Weak Account Security: Guardio can identify accounts that lack two-factor authentication (2FA), helping you secure your Amazon account before attackers try to get in.

  • Protects Against Malicious Browser Extensions: Some scams hijack your searches or redirect you to fake deal sites using rogue Chrome extensions. Guardio monitors and flags those, too.

By combining Guardio’s real-time threat detection with smart habits like enabling 2FA on your Amazon account, you drastically reduce your chances of falling for a scam.

Conclusion

Amazon scams are increasing day by day, using smarter tricks and emotional manipulation to deceive even careful shoppers. Staying safe demands real-time protection and constant awareness. Guardio steps in where basic security fails, blocking hidden threats like fake websites, malicious scripts, and leaked credentials before they can cause harm.

Guardio adds a layer of intelligent, real-time protection to your daily browsing. By combining smart habits with tools that proactively block phishing sites, scam ads, and fake emails, you can shop on Amazon with more confidence and less risk.

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Make sure you have a personal safety plan in place. If you believe someone is stalking you online and may be putting you at risk of harm, don’t remove suspicious apps or confront the stalker without a plan. The Coalition Against Stalkerware provides a list of resources for anyone dealing with online stalking, monitoring, and harassment.

Guardio Security Team
Guardio’s Security Team researches and exposes cyber threats, keeping millions of users safe online. Their findings have been featured by Fox News, The Washington Post, Bleeping Computer, and The Hacker News, making the web safer — one threat at a time.
Tips from the expert

Two-Step Verification, also known as 2SV or two-factor authentication, is a security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your regular password. When you turn on Two-Step Verification, logging in to your Amazon account will require two things.

First, you enter your regular password. Second, Amazon will send you a unique one-time code, either by text message or through an authenticator app. You must enter this code to complete the login. This process helps make sure that only you can access your account, even if someone else knows your password. It is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access.

  • Go to your Amazon Account Settings
  • Click on Login & Security
  • Choose Two-Step Verification (2SV)
  • Add your phone number or use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator)
  • Confirm the setup – done in minutes

Your Amazon account holds a lot of your saved cards, addresses, orders, and even gift cards. Losing access to it can cost you money. That’s why turning on Two-Step Verification (2SV) is a smart move.

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