Skip to main content
Image
Anatomy of an imposter scam banner

One way to spot a scam is to understand its mechanics. A new and complicated scam starts with a call or text message about a suspicious charge on your Amazon account. But it’s not really Amazon. It’s a scammer with an elaborate story about fraud using your identity that ends with you draining your bank or retirement accounts.

Here’s what to know about this scam scenario.

It’s not Amazon calling. Scammers spoof their phone number to make it look like it’s Amazon calling. Don’t trust the number in your caller ID and don’t trust what the caller tells you. Worried about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? Log in through the website or app. Don’t call back the number that called you or a number someone left in a voicemail or text message.

No one legitimate will tell you to keep it a secret. If there’s a problem with your account or identity, always talk about it with someone you trust — especially if the stranger on the phone says it’s serious or involves a crime or claims to be from the government. That’s a scam.

No one used your Social Security number to open fraudulent accounts in your name. Scammers say this to scare you — don’t trust the person on the phone. To know for sure, get an instant copy of your credit report online for free and look for accounts you don’t recognize. Visit (or have someone help you visit) AnnualCreditReport.com.

Don’t believe a caller who says you’ll be immediately arrested for account fraud. That’s a scam. If someone stole your identity to open fraudulent accounts, complete an FTC identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov, then put an extended fraud alert on your credit report. Do not transfer money or drain your savings to protect it from fraud.

Image
Did you get a call about suspicious activity in your Amazon account? It’s a scam. Hang up.

Our “Anatomy of an Imposter Scam” blog series breaks down how to recognize, avoid, and report business and government imposter scams. Read more.

Search Terms

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Kathy Trawick
May 13, 2024

Amazon scammer named Frank
9033854544

Eric MacDonald
May 13, 2024

Amazon scam, you have an order was it you that placed it. Hang up it's a scam, the call came to me fro B.C. 1-250-789-8158

Ageed
May 15, 2024

I just got a call from Stephen Wilson at "Amazon" from the phone number (727) 516-4607. The person had a distinct Indian accent and claimed to be calling from Amazon's fraud department regarding a purchase of around $1800. I sensed immediately that this was a scam and called Amazon's actual phone number to verify that there were indeed no large charges to my account.

Ageed
May 17, 2024

I just received a call from a Stephen Wilson with a distinct Indian accent claiming he was calling from Amazon's fraud department regarding an $1800 purchase on my account. He called from (727) 516-4607. I suspected fraud and immediately called Amazon's actual phone number and verified that no large purchases had been made from my account. This was definitely a scam attempt.

Lorraine
May 17, 2024

Received a call from Brian Seagel, caller was definitely foreign. Gave me his Amazon employee number and claimed that someone had opened a business prime account in my name and purchased an iPad and earbuds. Told me that my Social Security number was used to open 18 bank and credit union accounts. Later he “transferred” me over to the Social Security office to report my Social Security number being red flagged for fraud, money laundering and shipping drugs through the United States Postal Service. Never gave him any information, but he already knew my address and phone number. Went along with his game, but the funny part was when he transferred me over to the SSA to file a report it sounded like the same guy and the background noise was the same. Incredibly sad that this is what the world has become, a bunch of losers looking to scam you.

Samuel Edes Harrison
May 15, 2024

I received a call today, from 877 311 0641. (Unknown to me) Voice says this is the Amazon fraud department. We received a log-in attempt from a unrecognized device. Etc.
I rarely answer unknowns. I have blocked this number.

Tim candela
May 23, 2024

Did once receive a scam from Amazon. However this problem is all about Amazon app. Using all my cellular data. I buy a prepaid Verizon phone package,15 gigabytes of data. By the second or third day I was gone. Amazon app used it all without my looking at Amazon. I have deleted the app and no more problems. Tried to speak with Amazon ( foreign representative) and they couldn’t grasp what I was telling them. To bad Amazon has many items I could not find anywhere else.

Brenda
May 24, 2024

I got a call saying several bank accounts in many provinces were opened in my name to make purchases large amount can't remember exactly around $17000 first alert apparently Amazon that was transfered to semi local court house fraud department I was told don't tell anyone about investigation not to make any transactions for 72 hours . Wanted to know info on banking type of account & institution & credit card information what type & I must answer their call when call back number was 1 number off from a legit number of court house. Not sure if going to police would be helpful also I changed all login codes

Sylvia A Doucette
May 28, 2024

I got an email from Amazon that my account is locked because of suspicious activity. They won't let me into it and I have a balance on my gift card that they say I can't get because their terms are no refunds and I can't even transfer the money to my husbands account. Surely they can't just steal my money like that.

Sylvia Doucette
May 28, 2024

Amazon said they had suspicious activity on my account and blocked me out of it. I have money on my gift card and now can't get into the account to get it. I see their terms are you can't get a refund or transfer funds to another account. I am very afraid this company has stolen my money.

Nancy Redding
June 03, 2024

Just received a call from Amazon +52 744 658 4576 stating a purchase of a thousand and some dollars ti my account. I hung up knowing it was a scam.

Amazon Data le…
June 04, 2024

I URGE EVERYONE TO FILE A JOINT LAWSUIT. I work in data and this is clearly an Amazon data leak that has not been addressed nor spoken on. Please consider.