Fake Amazon Support Scams
How fraudsters impersonate Amazon customer service to harvest account credentials, trick victims into gift card purchases, or install remote-access software.
Part of: Fake Tech Support Calls
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Amazon is one of the most impersonated brands in tech-support fraud. Scammers send fake order confirmation emails, place robocall alerts about suspicious orders, and create phishing pages mimicking Amazon's support portal. Because nearly everyone has an Amazon account and receives regular order notifications, these impersonation messages have unusually high open rates.
This guide covers how fake Amazon support scams work and the specific steps Amazon and victims should take.
How this scam works on Amazon
A typical attack begins with an email or robocall warning of an 'unusual order' — often for an expensive item — and providing a phone number to call to 'dispute the charge.' The number connects to a scammer posing as Amazon support. The 'representative' then tries to access the victim's Amazon account (requesting login credentials), install remote-access software to 'verify the account,' or ask for gift cards to reverse the fraudulent charge.
Phishing emails that mimic Amazon's order confirmation format include a 'Report a problem' link leading to a credential-harvesting page. Some campaigns send fake 'Amazon package undeliverable' SMS messages with a tracking link that harvests card details or installs malware.
Common red flags
- Robocall or email about an Amazon order you did not place, with a number to call
- 'Amazon support' who asks for your account password to verify your identity
- Representative who requests remote access to your device to 'process a refund'
- Request for gift card purchase to 'reverse' a fraudulent charge
- Order confirmation email with a 'Report a problem' link that leads to a non-Amazon URL
How to protect yourself
- Access any Amazon account concerns directly at amazon.com — never call numbers from unsolicited emails or calls
- Amazon does not request gift cards as payment for any service, resolution, or verification
- Enable two-step verification on your Amazon account
- Check your real Amazon order history to verify whether any alert corresponds to a real order
- Report suspicious emails to [email protected]
How to report it
- Forward phishing emails to [email protected]
- Report the phone number and any gift card purchases to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If gift cards were purchased, contact the issuer immediately — some cards can be blocked before redemption
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if an "Amazon support" caller or pop-up is really from Amazon?
Amazon doesn't cold-call customers demanding remote access to your computer, request payment via gift cards, or send unsolicited pop-ups claiming your account is compromised — if you're contacted this way, it's not genuinely Amazon. Log in to your actual Amazon account directly (not through any link provided) to check your order and account status if you're concerned.
I let someone claiming to be Amazon support remotely access my computer — what should I do now?
Disconnect the remote-access session and your internet connection immediately, then run a full antivirus scan and change your important passwords (Amazon, email, banking) from a separate, uncompromised device. Check your Amazon account for unauthorized orders or changes, and contact Amazon directly through its official app or website to report the incident.
A caller said there was a suspicious charge on my Amazon account and asked me to buy gift cards to "verify" my identity — is this real?
No — this is a scam; Amazon never asks customers to purchase gift cards for identity verification, refunds, or any account issue. Hang up, don't buy anything, and check your real account directly through Amazon's official site or app for any actual order or charge activity.
Does Amazon ever call customers about suspicious orders?
Amazon does have a call-me feature you can initiate from the Help section of your account. However, Amazon does not proactively call customers to report suspicious orders and then ask for credentials or gift cards. If you receive such a call, it is a scam.