How do I spot a fake Amazon email?
Fake Amazon emails claim your account is suspended or an order was placed in your name — always check your actual Amazon account rather than clicking any link in the email.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Amazon is one of the most frequently impersonated brands in phishing attacks because nearly everyone has an account and expects to receive order or account emails. The fake versions mimic Amazon's visual design closely, using the familiar orange arrow logo and matching colour scheme.
The most common fakes fall into three types. Account-suspension phishing claims your account has been locked due to unusual activity and prompts you to click a 'verify account' link. Order phishing claims a suspicious purchase was made and invites you to dispute it via a link. Prime renewal phishing claims your membership renewal failed and you must update your payment method.
All three lead to fake Amazon login pages designed to steal your email, password, and ultimately your credit card details. The sender email is the clearest immediate signal: genuine Amazon emails come from domains like @amazon.co.uk, @amazon.com, or @amazon-order-notifications.com — Amazon does own several subdomains. Emails from @amazon-support-help.com, @amazon.security-check.net, or any hyphenated variant are not from Amazon.
For any account concern, close the email and go directly to amazon.com or the Amazon app. Check your orders and account settings there. Real suspension issues and billing problems will be visible in your account, not only in an email.
Common red flags
- Sender domain is not an official Amazon domain
- Email claims an order was placed that you do not see in your real account
- Link goes to a domain other than amazon.com or amazon.co.uk
- Email requests your full payment card details or password
- Urgency about account closure unless you act in 24 hours
- Email addressed to 'Dear Customer' rather than your name
What to do now
- Close the email and go to amazon.com directly in your browser
- Check 'Your Orders' and account notifications for any real issue
- Forward phishing emails to [email protected]
- If you entered your credentials, change your Amazon password and remove any unauthorised payment methods
- Enable two-step verification on your Amazon account
- Check your linked payment cards for unauthorised charges
Frequently asked questions
Amazon actually does use several email domains — how do I know which are real?
Amazon's official help centre lists all legitimate domains it uses, including amazon-order-notifications.com. If a domain is not listed there, do not trust it.
What if the email contains my real name and partial order details?
Data breaches mean fraudsters sometimes have partial account information. A real name or order fragment does not confirm legitimacy — verify directly in your account.
What is the gift card scam version of fake Amazon emails?
Some fake Amazon emails claim you must buy Amazon Gift Cards to restore your account or avoid a charge. Amazon never requires gift card purchases to resolve account issues.