Phone calls · Scam library
Amazon impersonation scam: how to spot it and what to do
Arrives by: Phone call, Text message, Email
Is it a scam?
A call or text about a “suspicious purchase” on your Amazon account is a scam when it pushes you to call back, share information, or move money. The FTC says these callers build a story about identity theft, then hand you off to a fake bank, a fake FTC agent or a fake police officer to get you to drain your bank or retirement accounts. To check, open the Amazon app or website yourself and look at your orders.
How the scam works.
You get a call, voicemail or text about a suspicious purchase or problem on your Amazon account.
The “Amazon fraud department” says your identity was stolen, or that your Social Security number was used to open accounts.
They transfer you to a fake bank employee, then maybe a fake FTC agent or police officer, who may threaten arrest.
Everyone tells you to keep it secret and to move your money somewhere “safe.” That account belongs to the scammer.
Red flags to look for.
Illustrative example · Phone call
Incoming call
Amazon Support (+1 (888) 555-0193)
Written from the patterns official sources describe. Phone numbers and web addresses in it are fake.
An unexpected call or text about an order you don't recognize.
A callback number in a voicemail or text.
Caller ID that says Amazon or a bank. It can be faked.
Being told to keep it a secret from family or your bank.
Any request to move money, buy gift cards, or put cash in a Bitcoin ATM.
Being handed off to a “government agent” or police officer who threatens arrest.
The real thing vs. the scam.
What the real organization does
What the scammer does
No one legitimate will tell you to keep it a secret.
“Don't tell your bank or family. They may be involved.”
You can see every real order in your Amazon app or on the website.
“Stay on the line, don't log in, we'll handle it.”
$3.5 billion
Imposter scams were the most reported scam to the FTC in 2025, with more than 1 million reports and $3.5 billion in reported losses.
Source: FTC, New trends in reports of imposter scams (May 2026).
If you got this message.
- Hang up, or don't reply to the text.
- Don't call back any number left in a voicemail or text.
- Open the Amazon app or type amazon.com yourself, and check your orders. If there's no strange order, there's no problem.
- Talk to someone you trust before you move any money.
- Report it to Amazon at amazon.com/reportascam and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you already clicked, paid or shared information.
If you paid or moved money, call your bank or card company right away. Use the number on the back of your card or in the official app, not a number from the scammer.
If you paid with gift cards, call the company named on the card right away, tell them it was a scam, and ask for your money back. Keep the cards and receipts.
If you sent a wire, call the company and ask them to reverse it: Western Union 1-800-448-1492, MoneyGram 1-800-926-9400, Ria 1-877-443-1399.
If you let them onto your computer, update your security software and run a scan, and change any passwords you used while they were connected.
If you gave your Amazon password, log in through the app or website yourself and change it.
If you shared your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan, and freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Freezing is free.
Report it to Amazon at amazon.com/reportascam, to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and if money was lost, at ic3.gov.
Expect follow-up calls or messages offering to get your money back for a fee. Those are scams too. Real agencies never charge to help you get a refund.
Money already sent? Start with the free C.A.L.M. recovery wizard or get step-by-step help. And watch out for anyone who offers to get it back for a fee.
Not sure about a message?
Check it in a minute.
Answer a few yes-or-no questions and see how risky it looks.
Try the scam checker
How OwlGuardian helps
Make the next scam bounce off.
Fake Amazon order emails in Gmail are quarantined by OwlGuardian before you see them, and your Trusted Contact gets an alert. OwlGuardian doesn't block calls or texts, so if one comes in, hang up, say “Hey Siri, call my Owl” to check a screenshot in about five seconds, and call your Trusted Contact before you move any money.
OwlGuardian quietly checks your parent's Gmail with AI, moves scam emails out of sight, and asks you before anything risky gets through. $4.99/month after a 30-day free trial.
Questions people ask.
How can I tell if an email from Amazon is real?
I got a call about a suspicious Amazon purchase. Is it real?
I got a text about an Amazon order I didn't make. What should I do?
The caller transferred me to the FTC or the police. Does that make it real?
How do I report a fake Amazon call, text or email?
Sources
- FTC, Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It's a scam
- FTC, New trends in reports of imposter scams (May 2026)
- FTC, How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams
- FTC, Have you lost money to a scam? Watch for scammers who say they can help (Aug 3, 2026)
The example above is illustrative, written from the patterns official sources describe. Phone numbers and web addresses in it are fake.
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