● HIGH RISK

Amazon Impersonation Scam

A call, text, or email claims there is a problem with your Amazon account, order, or Prime membership, and that you must act now. Amazon does not fix account problems by asking for gift cards, remote access, or your password. The "problem" exists only to get you on the phone.

Losses: Part of $660 million in business impersonation losses (FTC 2024)

Targets: Amazon customers, online shoppers

Updated: 2026-01-06

Also known as: Amazon Prime Scam · Amazon Order Scam · Amazon Account Scam

How It Works

Scammers contact you pretending to be Amazon about fake account issues: **Common scenarios:** 1. **Suspicious Purchase**: "Someone ordered a $1,000 iPhone on your account. Press 1 to cancel." 2. **Prime Renewal**: "Your Prime membership is renewing for $149.99. Call to cancel." 3. **Account Locked**: "Suspicious activity detected. Verify your identity to restore access." 4. **Delivery Problem**: "Your package couldn't be delivered. Click here to reschedule." **What happens:** - They ask for remote access to "fix" the problem - They request your login credentials - They ask for payment information to "verify" your account - They transfer you to fake "bank fraud department"

How Scammers Make Contact

Phone callsEmailsText messagesPop-up ads

Warning Signs & Red Flags

Unsolicited call or message about your Amazon account
Urgency — "Act now or lose your account"
Request to install software or give remote access
Asking for payment via gift cards or wire transfer
Email from non-Amazon domain (check carefully for typos)
Links that don't go to amazon.com
Asking for your password (Amazon will never do this)

Real-World Example

"I got a call saying someone used my Amazon account to buy $500 in gift cards. They transferred me to their 'security department' who said my bank account was compromised too. They had me buy $2,000 in gift cards to 'protect my money' while they 'investigated.' I read them the card numbers and lost everything."
— FTC Consumer Sentinel

How to Protect Yourself

Don't call numbers from unexpected emails or texts
Log into amazon.com directly to check for any real issues
Never give remote access to your computer
Amazon will never ask for payment via gift cards
Check the sender's email carefully — look for typos
Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account
Use Amazon's official customer service through the app or website

What To Do If You're a Victim

1If you gave account access, change your Amazon password immediately
2Enable two-factor authentication
3Check your Amazon orders for unauthorized purchases
4If you gave payment info, contact your bank
5Report to Amazon: amazon.com/reportascam
6Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Report This Scam

FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amazon Impersonation Scam?

What are the warning signs of Amazon Impersonation Scam?

Unsolicited call or message about your Amazon account. Urgency — "Act now or lose your account". Request to install software or give remote access. Asking for payment via gift cards or wire transfer. Email from non-Amazon domain (check carefully for typos).

How do I protect myself from Amazon Impersonation Scam?

Don't call numbers from unexpected emails or texts. Log into amazon.com directly to check for any real issues. Never give remote access to your computer. Amazon will never ask for payment via gift cards.

What should I do if I'm a victim of Amazon Impersonation Scam?

If you gave account access, change your Amazon password immediately. Enable two-factor authentication. Check your Amazon orders for unauthorized purchases. If you gave payment info, contact your bank.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this high risk. Reported losses: Part of $660 million in business impersonation losses (FTC 2024). Most exposed: Amazon customers, online shoppers.

Can I get my money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Amazon Impersonation Scam?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.

Sources & References

Related Scams

Tech Support Scam

A pop-up, email, or call claims your computer is infected and that Microsoft or Apple needs to fix it — for a fee, and with remote access to your machine. None of it is real. Microsoft and Apple do not cold-call you about viruses, and the only thing that gets compromised is whatever you let them touch.

Geek Squad / Best Buy Scam

An email says your Geek Squad membership just auto-renewed for a few hundred dollars and gives you a number to call for a "refund." There is no subscription and no charge. Calling hands you to a scammer who will walk you into giving up bank access to "reverse" it.

Bank Impersonation Scam

Someone claiming to be your bank's fraud department says your account is under attack and that you need to move your money somewhere "safe." That somewhere is theirs. A real bank never asks you to transfer funds to protect them — the call itself is the fraud.

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