MoneyMagpie content editor Vicky Parry explains what to watch out for in 2026 — and why Amazon scams are more dangerous than many people realise
I write about scams every week — and I’ll be honest, the Amazon ones doing the rounds right now are some of the most convincing I’ve ever seen.
With so many of us ordering everything from toothpaste to tech on Amazon, fraudsters know exactly how to get our attention.
A message about your account, a delivery or a refund is almost guaranteed to make you look twice — and that’s precisely why these scams are so risky.
They don’t just try to steal a few pounds. If you fall for one, it can open the door to much bigger financial fraud.
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The ‘problem with your account’ email that looks real
One of the most common scams still starts with an email claiming there’s an issue with your Amazon account.
You might be told:
- Your account has been locked
- A payment has failed
- There’s suspicious activity
- Your Prime subscription is renewing
The email often looks exactly like the real thing, complete with Amazon logos, formatting and even order numbers. Some are so polished that even seasoned online shoppers pause.
But click the link and you’re taken to a fake login page designed to capture your Amazon email and password.
Once criminals have those details, they can access your account, spend using saved payment methods and potentially try the same password on your email, banking or social media. That’s why using different passwords for key accounts is so important.
Fake delivery texts when you’re expecting a parcel
This is the one I see catching people out the most and I have received these texts many times myself.
You get a text saying your parcel couldn’t be delivered or that there’s a small fee to rearrange delivery. It might look like it’s from Amazon or a courier.
The link takes you to a convincing page asking for a £1 or £2 redelivery fee. In reality, you’re handing over your card details to scammers.
Because so many of us are waiting for parcels most weeks, it feels believable — and that’s what makes it so effective.
My golden rule is simple: never click delivery links in texts. Go straight to your Amazon app or type the courier website manually.
The scary ‘Amazon’ phone calls
The most worrying trend I’m seeing now is sophisticated phone scams.
People are being called by someone claiming to be from Amazon saying a high-value item has been ordered or that you’re due a refund. The caller may sound professional and already know your name or email.
They’ll offer to cancel the order or process the refund — but first they need you to “verify” details or download software so they can “help”.
That software can give them remote access to your phone or computer, allowing them to view banking apps, emails and passwords.
Amazon has been very clear in its customer guidance: it will never call you unexpectedly to ask for passwords, PINs, one-time passcodes or remote access to your device.
If in doubt, hang up and contact Amazon directly through the official app or website.
The extra risk with third-party sellers
Something many shoppers don’t realise is that not everything on Amazon is sold directly by Amazon itself.
Thousands of items are sold by third-party marketplace sellers. Most are legitimate, but scammers sometimes exploit this by:
- Sending fake “seller” messages about an order problem
- Asking for payment outside Amazon
- Requesting bank transfers or gift cards
- Sending phishing links disguised as order updates
According to Amazon’s own policy, all payments for marketplace purchases must stay within the Amazon platform. Genuine sellers should never ask you to pay by bank transfer, gift card or external link.
If you’re ever asked to move a payment or conversation outside Amazon, that’s a major red flag.
Amazon also states that if you buy from a third-party seller using its checkout system, you’re covered by its A-to-z Guarantee. But if you pay outside the platform, you lose that protection entirely — which is exactly what scammers want.
Why these scams are so risky
Amazon scams aren’t just about one dodgy payment. They can lead to much bigger problems because of how much information is stored in our accounts.
If scammers gain access, they may find:
- Saved card details
- Your address and phone number
- Linked email accounts
- Purchase history
- Passwords reused elsewhere
That information can be used for identity theft, banking fraud or further targeted scams.
I’ve heard from readers who initially lost a few pounds on a fake delivery fee but then faced attempted bank withdrawals days later.
The red flags I always look for
After years covering consumer issues, these are the warning signs I never ignore:
Urgency and panic tactics Anything pushing you to act immediately is designed to stop you thinking.
Requests for payment outside Amazon Especially bank transfers, gift cards or crypto.
Unexpected calls or messages Particularly about refunds or expensive orders.
Links asking you to log in Always go directly to the official Amazon app instead.
Requests for codes or passwords No legitimate company will ask for these.
How I keep myself (and my family) safe
I always say scammers rely on speed. The best defence is slowing down.
Personally, I:
- Check orders only in the Amazon app
- Ignore links in texts and unexpected emails
- Use strong, different passwords
- Turn on two-step verification
- Regularly warn older relatives about phone scams
If you think you’ve clicked a scam link or given details away, contact your bank immediately and change your passwords. Acting fast can limit the damage.
You can also report scams to Action Fraud — and to Amazon itself — to help stop others being targeted.
The bottom line
Amazon scams work because they look normal. A delivery message here, a refund there — it all feels part of everyday life. But that’s exactly what makes them so dangerous.
A few extra seconds checking before you click could be the difference between a normal shopping day and a very expensive mistake.
What does Amazon say?
An Amazon spokesperson told the Mirror: “Scammers that attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk and we will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance.
“We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.
“Please visit our help pages to find additional information on how to identify scams and report them.”
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