How do scams work on Amazon Marketplace?
Amazon Marketplace scams involve third-party sellers sending counterfeit goods, brushing schemes that game the review system, and phishing attacks impersonating Amazon order notifications to steal account credentials.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Amazon's marketplace allows third-party sellers to list alongside Amazon's own inventory, which creates significant opportunity for sellers to deliver products different from what is advertised. The shared listing model — where multiple sellers share a single product page — allows a fraudulent seller to attach to a page with many legitimate reviews and then ship inferior or counterfeit goods.
Brushing is a well-documented but often misunderstood practice: a seller ships unsolicited packages to real addresses, then uses those addresses to create fake verified purchase reviews, inflating their product ratings. Recipients of unexpected packages are generally not victims of financial fraud, but their address data has been used without consent.
Phishing emails impersonating Amazon are among the most sophisticated: they mimic order confirmations, delivery notifications, and account security alerts, directing recipients to fake Amazon login pages. Amazon itself is not involved, but the credibility of the brand makes recipients less sceptical.
Third-party seller fraud specifically targets buyers who purchase from unfamiliar sellers. Products arrive that are of much lower quality than described, counterfeit branded goods, or entirely different items. Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee covers these situations, but the refund process requires opening a case.
Common red flags
- Product arrives that looks significantly different from listing photos — possible counterfeit
- Email about your Amazon order contains a login link and comes from a non-amazon.com address
- You receive an unexpected package from an Amazon seller you never ordered from
- Third-party seller price is dramatically below Amazon's own price for the same item
- Seller contacts you outside Amazon to resolve a dispute or offer a refund in exchange for a positive review
- Product packaging looks unofficial, lacks proper labelling, or arrives without warranty documentation
What to do now
- Purchase directly from Amazon where possible, or from sellers with long histories and verified reviews
- Check the actual email sender address for any Amazon notification — it must be from an @amazon.com domain
- Navigate to amazon.com directly rather than through email links to check order status
- File an A-to-Z Guarantee claim if a third-party seller item does not arrive or is significantly not as described
- Report suspicious sellers to Amazon using the report function on their seller profile page
- If you received an unexpected package, you are not obligated to pay for it and can keep or discard it
Frequently asked questions
Does Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee cover all third-party seller purchases?
The A-to-Z Guarantee covers most third-party seller purchases when payment is made through Amazon's checkout. It does not cover orders paid outside Amazon's system or some specific categories. Coverage requires opening a claim within the eligible window after the estimated delivery date.
How do I know if a product is being sold by Amazon directly or a third party?
On the product page, look for the text 'Sold by' near the Buy Box. If it says 'Sold by Amazon.com,' Amazon is the seller. If it shows a different name, it is a third-party seller. 'Fulfilled by Amazon' means Amazon handles shipping but the seller is a third party.