The 8 Most Common Amazon Scams and How to Avoid Every One

Amazon processes over 300 million active customer accounts. That makes it the single largest target for scammers in the e-commerce world. If you shop on Amazon — and most Americans do — you have almost certainly encountered at least one of these scams. Some are obvious. Others are sophisticated enough to fool experienced online shoppers.

Here are the 8 most common Amazon scams in 2026, how each one works, and exactly how to protect yourself.

1. The Fake Order Confirmation Email

How it works: You receive an email that looks exactly like an Amazon order confirmation — same logo, same formatting, same "Your order has been placed" subject line. But you did not place an order. The email includes a link to "cancel" the order or "report unauthorized activity." Clicking that link takes you to a fake Amazon login page that steals your password.

How to spot it: Check the sender's email address. Real Amazon emails come from @amazon.com. Fake ones come from addresses like amazon-orders@security-alert.com or noreply@amazn-confirm.net.

What to do: Never click links in order confirmation emails you were not expecting. Instead, go directly to amazon.com and check your order history. If no order exists, the email was a scam. Delete it.

2. The "Suspicious Activity" Phone Call

How it works: You receive a phone call or robocall claiming to be from "Amazon Security." The caller says there is suspicious activity on your account — a large purchase, a gift card order, or a compromised credit card. They ask you to "verify your identity" by providing your password, credit card number, or Social Security number.

How to spot it: Amazon will never call you about account security. They handle all account issues through the Amazon app and website, not phone calls.

What to do: Hang up immediately. If you are concerned, open the Amazon app and check your account directly. You can also contact Amazon through their official help page.

3. The Fake Delivery Text

How it works: You receive a text message saying "Your Amazon package could not be delivered. Click here to update your address" or "Your delivery requires additional verification." The link leads to a phishing site.

How to spot it: Amazon sends delivery notifications through the Amazon app, not random text messages from unknown numbers. Real Amazon tracking links go to amazon.com/track, not shortened or suspicious URLs.

What to do: Do not click the link. Check your delivery status in the Amazon app. If there is a real delivery issue, it will show there.

4. The Fake Seller / Too-Good-to-Be-True Deal

How it works: A "seller" lists a popular product (AirPods, PlayStation, designer items) at 60-80% below market price. The listing looks legitimate — good photos, detailed description, positive reviews. You buy it. The product never arrives, or you receive a cheap counterfeit.

How to spot it: Check the seller's profile. Look for: recent account creation date, very few reviews, prices dramatically below all other sellers, and listings that seem copied from other sellers.

What to do: Only buy from sellers with extensive review histories. Use "Sold by Amazon" or "Fulfilled by Amazon" for expensive items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is.

5. The Fake Review Scam

How it works: This one targets you as a participant, not a victim in the traditional sense. You receive a message (email, social media, or package insert) offering you free products in exchange for 5-star reviews. This is against Amazon's Terms of Service and can result in your account being permanently banned.

A variation: Some scammers send you a product you did not order (called "brushing"), then write a fake review under your name to boost their listing.

What to do: Never accept free products for reviews. If you receive a package you did not order, report it to Amazon as a brushing scam. Check your review history for reviews you did not write.

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6. The Gift Card Balance Scam

How it works: A scammer contacts you claiming to sell Amazon gift cards at a discount — "$100 gift card for $70." You pay via Venmo, Zelle, or wire transfer. The gift card code is either fake, already redeemed, or stolen (and will be deactivated by Amazon).

How to spot it: There is no legitimate secondary market for discounted Amazon gift cards from individuals. If someone offers you gift cards at a significant discount, they are stolen or fake.

What to do: Only buy Amazon gift cards from Amazon.com or authorized retailers (grocery stores, pharmacies, Target, Walmart). Never buy from individuals or social media sellers.

7. The Fake Customer Service Scam

How it works: You search Google for "Amazon customer service number." A scam website appears near the top of search results with a fake phone number. You call it, thinking you are reaching Amazon. The person who answers sounds professional and asks for your Amazon login credentials, credit card number, or asks you to install remote access software so they can "fix" your account.

How to spot it: Amazon's customer service is only accessible through the Amazon app or website (Help → Contact Us). There is no publicly listed phone number you can call directly. Any number found through a Google search is likely a scam.

What to do: Always contact Amazon through the Amazon app or amazon.com/help. Never search Google for their phone number.

8. The "Account Locked" Phishing Email

How it works: You receive an email saying your Amazon account has been locked due to "unusual login activity" or "payment method issues." The email looks official and includes a button to "Verify Your Account." Clicking the button takes you to a fake login page identical to Amazon's.

How to spot it: Check the sender's email address (should be @amazon.com). Hover over the "Verify" button to see where it actually links. Look for subtle misspellings or unusual formatting.

What to do: Do not click any links. Go directly to amazon.com and try to log in normally. If your account is truly locked, you will see the issue when you log in directly. Amazon will never ask you to verify your account through an email link.

How to Lock Down Your Amazon Account

Use a unique, strong password — not the same password you use for anything else
Enable two-factor authentication — Amazon → Account → Login & Security → Two-Step Verification
Set up purchase notifications — get an alert for every order placed on your account
Review authorized devices — Amazon → Account → Login & Security → Manage Devices → remove any you do not recognize
Never share your password or OTP codes — Amazon support will never ask for them

Protect your Amazon shopping on any network

When you shop on Amazon from public Wi-Fi (hotel, coffee shop, airport), your connection is vulnerable. NordVPN encrypts everything so your payment details and login credentials are protected — even on unsecured networks.