What the FTC has found
- Amazon was the most-impersonated business in FTC reports from mid-2020 to mid-2021: about 1 in 3 people who reported a business impersonator said the scammer claimed to be Amazon, with more than $27 million in reported losses (FTC, Oct 2021).
- In March 2024 the FTC warned that fake Amazon agents now escalate: they claim your identity is being used for crimes and transfer you to fake bank or government agents (FTC).
- In July 2025 the FTC warned about texts offering refunds for recalled or substandard Amazon items. There is no refund; it is phishing (FTC).
Look up the number that contacted you
Carrier, line type and location are free. Private: nobody is notified.
Common versions
- Robocall: "Press 1 to speak to an Amazon representative about a $1,499 iPhone order."
- Text: "Your Amazon account has been locked. Verify here."
- Refund: "An item you bought was recalled. Claim your refund."
- Remote access: "Install this app so we can fix your account and refund you."
- Gift cards: you are told to buy gift cards to "secure" your account.
What to do
- Hang up or delete. Do not press any keys.
- Open the Amazon app and check Your Orders yourself.
- Never give remote access, never buy gift cards for anyone who calls you, never move money.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) so your carrier can block the sender, then delete them. Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.