Fake Amazon Rewards and Loyalty-Points Redemption Scam
Fraudsters send fake emails or text messages claiming you have expiring Amazon reward points or a prize to claim, leading to a phishing page or a fee-based redemption trap.
Part of: Fake Loyalty Points Redemption Scams
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
Amazon does operate a rewards ecosystem — Amazon Prime Rewards Visa cardholders earn cashback points, and various promotional credits are issued to account holders. Scammers exploit this familiarity with 'Amazon rewards' to send convincing fake notifications claiming you have accumulated hundreds or thousands of points about to expire.
The messages typically create urgency: 'Your 1,250 Amazon reward points expire in 24 hours — click here to redeem.' The link leads either to a spoofed Amazon login page or to a fake survey site that ends with a request for a small 'shipping fee' to receive a free prize — which never arrives, and the card number captured is used for further fraud.
Unlike some other loyalty schemes, Amazon does not operate a standalone points currency in most markets — promotional credits are applied automatically at checkout or tied to a specific credit card programme. Genuine expiry notifications, where they exist, come from verified @amazon.com or the issuing bank's domain, not from free webmail or lookalike domains.
How this scam works on the Amazon brand
The classic version arrives as an SMS or email claiming you have won or earned Amazon points and must act within hours. The message uses the Amazon logo and colour scheme. The 'Redeem Now' link resolves to a domain like amazon-rewards-portal.com or amazn-points.net rather than amazon.com.
On the fake landing page, the victim is asked to complete a short survey, then informed they have 'won' a high-value prize. To receive it, they must enter their name, address, and a card number to cover a nominal shipping charge. That card is charged repeatedly, and the prize never arrives.
A phone-call variant has a recorded voice claiming to be 'Amazon Rewards Fulfilment' and pressing the victim to 'confirm' card details over the phone to 'unlock' their points. Neither Amazon's retail operations nor its card partners make outbound calls requesting card numbers in this fashion.
Common red flags
- Message arrives by SMS from an unknown number, or email from a domain that is not @amazon.com
- Points balance is a suspiciously round or large number you do not recall accumulating
- Extreme urgency: 'Expires in 24 hours' or 'Last chance to claim'
- Redemption requires paying a shipping fee with a credit or debit card
- The link does not resolve to amazon.com — hover over it before clicking
- The page asks for your full card number to 'verify' your Prime membership
How to protect yourself
- Ignore the link in the message; instead, open the Amazon app or visit amazon.com directly and check Your Account > Gift Cards & Promotional Credits
- If you hold an Amazon-linked credit card, check your card issuer's app for any real points balance — never via a link sent to you
- Do not pay any fee to 'release' or 'ship' a prize or reward — legitimate loyalty redemptions do not charge you money to claim points
- Mark the message as spam and block the sender
- If you entered card details, contact your card issuer immediately to cancel the card and dispute any charges
How to report it
- Forward phishing emails to [email protected]
- Report SMS phishing (smishing) by forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM) in the US and UK
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or your national consumer protection body
- If financial loss occurred, report to your bank and to your local police for a crime reference number
Frequently asked questions
Does Amazon send texts about expiring reward points?
Amazon does not operate a standalone points currency for most retail customers. Promotional credits are visible in your account and are applied automatically. Unsolicited texts about expiring Amazon points are almost certainly a scam.
I paid the shipping fee to claim my prize. Can I get my money back?
Contact your card issuer immediately and explain you were deceived into making a payment. Many issuers will raise a dispute or chargeback. Act quickly as some fraudulent sites make recurring charges.
How do I check my real Amazon promotional credits?
Sign in at amazon.com, go to Account > Gift Cards, then select View Gift Card Balance. Promotional credits are also shown at checkout when eligible items are in your basket.