Amazon scam calls and texts usually claim there’s an order you didn’t place, a problem with your account or Prime, or a refund waiting for you. Amazon says it will never ask for your password, a one-time passcode, gift card details or bank card details over the phone, and never texts you asking for payment details or to call a number.
If you’re unsure, hang up or ignore the text, then open the Amazon app yourself and check Your Orders and Message Center. Real orders and real Amazon emails show up there.
This guide is part of our security guides. It uses Amazon’s own help pages and the FTC’s scam alerts.
What Amazon says it will never do
These are the fastest red flags. If a caller or text does any of them, it isn’t Amazon.
- Ask for your password or a one-time passcode (OTP) over the phone. Scammers ask for codes they say will “verify” you or stop a charge. That code is what lets them into your account.
- Ask for gift cards, bank transfers or card details by phone, or ask you to pay outside the Amazon website or app.
- Ask you to install an app so they can “help” remotely. That gives them control of your phone or computer.
- Text you asking for personal information, payment details or gift card codes, or asking you to call a number.
- Text you about a product recall. Amazon says it doesn’t send recall texts.
Never read a code from a text message to someone who called you. A real company doesn’t need you to read its own code back to it.
Common Amazon scam calls and texts
Scammers change the story often, but these are the ones Amazon and the FTC see most.
The “suspicious purchase” call
A call or text says someone ordered an expensive item on your account. Press 1 or call back to cancel it. Amazon says if you get a message about an order you didn’t place, it likely wasn’t from Amazon. The FTC warns that this one can escalate: the “Amazon” agent says your identity was used for crimes, transfers you to a fake FTC or government officer, and tells you to move your savings somewhere “safe”. No real agency or company will ever tell you to move your money to protect it.
Prime membership or account suspension
You’re told your Prime fee failed, your membership is expiring, or your account will be suspended unless you act now. The goal is your card number or login. Check Your Account → Prime Membership in the app instead.
Fake refunds and recalls
The FTC warned in July 2025 about texts saying Amazon ran a “routine quality inspection” and an item you bought failed or was recalled. You’re offered a refund without returning it, if you click a link. There’s no refund. The link is there to steal your money or personal information. To check real recalls, sign in to Amazon and open the Your Recalls and Product Safety Alerts page.
Fake tech support and job offers
Some scammers build fake “Amazon support” websites that rank in search results and list their own phone number. Real Amazon help pages are on amazon.com. Others offer Amazon jobs that ask for an upfront payment or sensitive details. Amazon says real job openings are on amazon.jobs and never need payment to apply.
How to check if Amazon scam calls or texts are real
Don’t use any number, link or reply option in the message. Check through Amazon directly:
- Hang up. Amazon’s own advice: if you feel uneasy, it’s OK to end the call and contact Customer Service through the Amazon app or website.
- Open the Amazon app or type amazon.com yourself. Don’t tap a link in the text.
- Check Your Orders. Only real purchases appear in your order history. No order there means the call was fake.
- Check Message Center. Amazon says every email it sends is in Message Center. If an email isn’t there, Amazon didn’t send it.
- Ask Alexa for Shopping. In the Amazon app or website, open Alexa for Shopping and ask in your own words, for example “Did you call me today?”
- Forward it to Amazon to check. You can send a suspicious message to verify@amazon.com.
For emails, look at the sender. Amazon says real Amazon emails come from an amazon.com address, and real Amazon links have a dot right before “amazon.com”, like https://www.amazon.com/. Lookalike addresses with extra words or swapped letters are fakes. Not sure about a link? Paste it into our link safety checker instead of opening it.
Already gave them something? Do this now
Amazon’s Report a scam page has separate steps depending on what you shared. Here’s the short version:
- Your Amazon password or a code: change your Amazon password right away and turn on two-step verification. If you reused that password anywhere, follow our leaked password checklist.
- Bank or card details: call the number on the back of your card or your bank’s official number and tell them.
- Gift card numbers: contact the gift card company immediately. See our guide to gift card scams for what to do.
- Remote access to your device: uninstall the app they had you install, then run a security scan. Our guide to checking whether your phone is hacked can help.
- Your Social Security number: the FTC points to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
How to report Amazon scam calls and texts
- To Amazon: use the Report a scam page in Amazon’s help. No Amazon account? Email reportascam@amazon.com, with the suspicious message attached if you can.
- To the FTC: report calls and texts at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- To your carrier: forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) or use your phone’s report junk option, then delete them.
- Block the sender. See how to block spam calls and stop spam texts.
The same tricks show up with other brands. Our guides to the USPS text scam and spotting a phishing link cover the delivery versions.
FAQ
Does Amazon ever call customers?
Amazon may contact you, but it says it will never ask for your password, one-time passcode, gift card details or bank card details over the phone. If you’re unsure, hang up and contact Customer Service through the app or website.
Does Amazon send text messages?
Yes, for things like order, delivery, payment or account updates. It doesn’t text asking for personal information, payment details, gift card codes or for you to call a number, and it doesn’t send recall texts.
How can I tell if an Amazon email is real?
Check Message Center in your Amazon account. Amazon says every email it sends appears there. If it isn’t there, it’s fake.
I got a call about an order I didn’t place. What should I do?
Hang up and check Your Orders in the Amazon app. If the order isn’t listed, the call was a scam. Report it to Amazon and the FTC.
What if I already gave a scammer my Amazon password?
Change your password right away, turn on two-step verification, and check your orders, addresses and payment methods for changes. Then follow the steps on Amazon’s Report a scam page.
Sources
- Identifying a scam (Amazon Customer Service)
- How to identify fake phone calls (Amazon Customer Service)
- How to identify fake text messages/SMS (Amazon Customer Service)
- How to identify fake emails (Amazon Customer Service)
- Scam trends (Amazon Customer Service)
- Report a scam (Amazon Customer Service)
- Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam (FTC)
- Scammy texts offering “refunds” for Amazon purchases (FTC)
