ScamPause

Immediate Answer

This is a scam if: You received an unexpected email about an Amazon order you didn't place, a refund you didn't request, or a problem with your account, and the email asks you to call a phone number or click a link. Real Amazon will never ask you to call a specific number in an email about order problems, and they will never ask for remote access to your computer or payment via gift cards.

How This Scam Works

You receive an email that appears to be from Amazon, often with official-looking logos and formatting. The email claims there's a problem such as:

• An expensive order you didn't make (often $300-$500 or more)
• A refund that's being processed to your account
• A locked or suspended account
• Unusual activity detected on your account

The email provides a phone number to call "customer service" or includes a link to click. When you call the number or click the link, you reach scammers pretending to be Amazon support. They may:

• Ask you to confirm personal information or account details
• Request remote access to your computer to "cancel the order" or "process the refund"
• Create fake screens showing a refund was sent to you
• Claim they accidentally sent too much money and ask you to send back the difference
• Pressure you to buy gift cards to "reverse the error"

Signs This Is a Scam

• The email address sender looks suspicious or slightly off (like "[email protected]" instead of an actual Amazon domain)
• Poor grammar or spelling in the email
• Urgent language pressuring you to act immediately
• A phone number included in the email asking you to call
• They ask for remote access to your computer
• They ask you to purchase gift cards for any reason
• They want you to send money back via wire transfer, Zelle, or gift cards
• They tell you not to hang up or contact anyone else
• The "representative" gets defensive or aggressive when questioned

What To Do Right Now

1. Stop all contact immediately. Hang up the phone and do not call back. Delete the email. Do not click any links.
2. If they have remote access to your computer, disconnect from the internet immediately and shut down your computer.
3. Check your real Amazon account. Log in directly at amazon.com (type it into your browser, don't click links) and check your orders and account activity.
4. Do not send money or buy gift cards regardless of what they've told you.
5. If you provided personal information, change your Amazon password immediately and enable two-factor authentication. Change passwords for any other accounts where you used the same password.

If You Already Sent Money or Information

If you gave them remote access to your computer:

• Disconnect from the internet and run a full antivirus scan
• Change all passwords, especially for banking and email
• Monitor your bank and credit card accounts closely
• Consider having a tech professional check your computer

If you sent money via gift cards:

• Contact the gift card company immediately with card numbers and receipts
• They may be able to freeze unused funds

If you sent money via bank transfer, wire, or other methods:

• Contact your bank immediately to attempt to stop or reverse the payment
• Ask about fraud protection and next steps

If you provided banking information or passwords:

• Contact your bank immediately
• Change all affected passwords
• Monitor accounts closely for unauthorized transactions

Report the scam:

• Report to Amazon at amazon.com/reportabuse
• Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• Report to your local police if you lost significant money

How To Protect Yourself Going Forward

• Always log into Amazon directly by typing amazon.com into your browser, never through email links
• Check your Amazon account regularly for orders you didn't place
• Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account
• Be suspicious of any unexpected order confirmations or refund notices
• Never call phone numbers provided in emails — use the contact information on the official Amazon website
• Never give anyone remote access to your computer
• Remember: legitimate companies will never ask you to pay with gift cards
• Amazon will never ask you to confirm orders or account details via email or phone call

You Are Not Alone

This is one of the most common scams and affects thousands of people every month. The emails look convincing, and the scammers are trained to sound professional and create urgency. If you fell for this scam, you're not foolish — you're human, and these criminals are experts at manipulation.

Taking action now to protect yourself is what matters.