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This article was updated on August 11, 2025 with a new scam example and additional tips.
Many consumers are shopping online and ordering from Amazon. Naturally, scammers are finding ways to cash in. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received reports of several different types of scams that impersonate Amazon in an attempt to steal personal information.
What you'll learn:
- What different types of Amazon impostor scams look like.
- How to identify a fake phone call, text message, or email.
- Tips for spotting and avoiding phishing scams.
In some examples, scammers pose as Amazon employees, calling people, and claiming to need information about their account. Other times, the scammers claim that something is wrong with an order. More recently, an email and text message phishing scam tells you that a product you ordered from Amazon has been recalled, and you can click a link to get your refund.
BBB warns to be on the lookout for suspicious calls, texts, and emails; in some cases, it looks like the call is coming from BBB.
How the scams work:
Phony calls from Amazon impostors
The phone rings, and when answered, it is a recorded message claiming to be from Amazon stating there is a problem with your Amazon account. The messages range from a fraudulent charge on your Prime card to a lost or damaged package to an unfulfilled order for an iPhone. But no matter what the recording says, these scammers have the same goal: getting your personal information. The con artists will outright ask for credit card and account login details, or they will request remote access to your computer under the guise of “helping” to solve the issue.
The Federal Trade Commission published examples of these scam calls.
There is a confusing twist on this scam. The con artists are spoofing other organizations’ phone numbers to help disguise their calls and lend them credibility - including BBB’s number! That means they are probably using other companies' phone numbers, too, so watch out.
Phishing texts and emails about product recalls
You receive an email or a text message that appears to be from Amazon. The message tells you that a product you recently purchased is being recalled. You are told that you can get a refund by clicking on a link, which takes you to a fake Amazon webpage. You are asked to log in and provide payment and personal information. Since this is a fake website, if you fill out the information being asked, you are handing your login credentials and your personal and financial information over to a scammer.
How to spot this scam:
- Be skeptical of email and unsolicited calls. Some departments at Amazon will call customers, but Amazon will never ask you to disclose or verify sensitive personal information or offer you a refund you do not expect. Amazon will never ask you to make a payment outside of their website and will never ask you for remote access to your device.
- Always check the website you're on. If you're on a website and are being asked to provide your personal and financial information, confirm that the website is real and that it is secure. Read BBB's tips for identifying fake websites.
- Ignore unsolicited messages that ask for personal information. Amazon will also never send you an unsolicited message that asks you to provide sensitive personal information, such as your tax ID, bank account number or credit card information.
- Ignore calls for immediate action. Scammers try to get you to act before you think by creating a sense of urgency. Please don't fall for it.
- Beware of requests to pay via wire transfer, prepaid debit card or CashApp (such as MoneyPak, iTunes or similar cards). These are almost always a sign of fraud.
- Report it to Amazon. Any customer who receives a questionable email or call from someone impersonating an Amazon employee should report them to Amazon customer service. Amazon investigates these complaints and will takes action if warranted.
For more information
Read BBB's tips on phishing scams and tips for online shopping safely. Learn how to identify whether a call or message is really from Amazon.
If you’ve gotten a phony call or been the victim of another scam, make others aware by filing a report on BBB Scam Tracker.