What's going on
Fake Amazon calls and texts are now one of the most reported scams in the UK. Criminals ring you or send a text pretending to be from Amazon, usually about an order you didn't place, a delivery that's gone wrong, or a problem with your account. The goal is always the same: get you to hand over your bank details, let them into your computer, or pay a fee that goes straight into their pocket.
These scams work because nearly everyone in the UK uses Amazon. If you get a call saying there's a suspicious order on your account for £300, your first instinct is to sort it out. That's what they're counting on. According to Amazon's own data, phone calls made up 44% of all impersonation scam reports from UK customers in 2025, overtaking email for the first time (Amazon Scam Trends Report). Ofcom found that 100 million suspicious messages were reported to the 7726 service in the year to April 2025 alone.
What these scams look like
There are a few standard scripts doing the rounds. The wording changes, but the pattern stays the same: something urgent, something you didn't expect, and a reason to hand over your details.
Fake texts
"Amazon: Your parcel could not be delivered. Please confirm your address and pay the £1.49 redelivery fee here: amzn-uk-delivery.com"
"Your Amazon Prime membership has expired. To avoid losing your benefits, renew now at: prime-renew-uk.com/update"
"Amazon: We've detected unusual activity on your account. Verify your identity or your account will be locked: amazon-security-verify.co.uk"
Fake calls
"Suspicious order"
A recorded message says a large purchase has been made on your account. Press 1 to speak to someone about it. When you do, a person comes on the line and asks you to "verify" your payment details.
"This is Amazon calling. A purchase of £349.99 for an iPhone 16 has been placed on your account. If this was not you, press 1 now."
"Account locked"
Someone rings claiming your Amazon account has been accessed from another country. They say they need to "secure" your account by getting you to confirm your email, password, and card details.
"We've noticed a login to your account from an unrecognised device in Nigeria. For your security, I need to verify your payment information."
"Install this app"
They tell you to download a remote access tool so they can "fix" the problem on your computer. Once you install it, they can see everything on your screen, including your online banking.
"I'll need you to go to a website and install our support tool so I can remove the unauthorised access on your account."
"Refund due"
They say Amazon owes you a refund for an overcharge or a cancelled order. They ask for your bank details to "process" it. Some versions have the caller pretending to send too much by accident and then asking you to return the difference.
"You're owed a refund of £79.99 for a duplicate charge. I just need your sort code and account number to send it through."
What to notice
The "suspicious order" call often starts with a robotic recorded message before putting you through to a real person. That recorded intro is a dead giveaway. Amazon does not contact customers this way. If a real person comes on the line after the recording, they are part of the scam.
How the scam works
Whether it comes as a call or a text, the playbook is the same. They create panic, offer a fix, and take your money while you think they're helping you.
1. They make contact
You get a call, a text, or sometimes an email. It looks like it's from Amazon. The number might even show up as "Amazon" on your screen because criminals can fake the sender name on texts and spoof caller IDs on phone calls. This is cheap to set up and there's nothing stopping them from doing it.
Why the name looks real
UK networks don't yet verify the sender name on text messages. Anyone can send a text that says "Amazon" as the sender. Your phone might even slot it into the same thread as genuine Amazon messages. Ofcom has brought in new rules to tackle this, but the technology to stop it completely isn't in place yet.
2. They create urgency
The message always contains something that demands your attention right now. An order you didn't make. An account that's about to be shut down. A charge that doesn't look right. It triggers that gut reaction where you think "I need to deal with this before it gets worse." That reaction is exactly what they want.
The panic button
Fraudsters know that if they give you time to think, you'll spot the trick. So they always make it sound urgent. "Your account will be suspended in 24 hours." "This payment is about to go through." The tighter the deadline, the less likely you are to check whether any of it is true.
3. They take your details
If you've clicked a link, you'll land on a convincing fake website that asks for your login, card number, and personal details. If you're on a call, the person will ask you to read out your card number, confirm your password, or install software that gives them remote access to your screen. Some callers will even ask you to buy Amazon gift cards and read the codes back to them.
Remote access is the big one
According to Amazon, remote access scams were one of the top tactics used against UK customers in 2025. The caller talks you into installing a screen sharing tool, then watches as you log into your banking app. They can see your passwords, your one time codes, everything. Some can even take control of your mouse.
4. The real damage
Once they have your details, the money moves fast. They'll drain your bank account, make purchases on your card, or sell your personal information to other criminals. UK Finance reported that over £1 billion was stolen by fraudsters in 2024, with a record 3.3 million fraud incidents. Getting money back is possible through your bank's fraud team, but it's not guaranteed and it's never quick.
How Amazon actually contacts you
The real Amazon process
Amazon sends order updates and delivery notifications through the Amazon app, through your Amazon account on the website, and by email to the address linked to your account. If there is a genuine problem with your account, you will see a notification when you log in at amazon.co.uk. Amazon does not ring you out of the blue.
Amazon app notifications
Order and delivery updates come through the app
Email to your registered address
From an @amazon.co.uk address only
Message Centre on amazon.co.uk
Every genuine Amazon message appears here
How to tell fake from real
Signs it's a scam
- • Unexpected phone call claiming to be Amazon
- • Recorded robotic message asking you to "press 1"
- • Text with a link to a website that isn't amazon.co.uk
- • Asked for your bank details, full card number, or PIN
- • Asked to install remote access or screen sharing software
- • Told to buy gift cards as a form of payment
- • Pressure to act immediately or lose your account
Signs it's genuine
- ✓ Notification comes through the Amazon app
- ✓ Email from an @amazon.co.uk address
- ✓ Message also appears in your Amazon Message Centre
- ✓ No links asking you to enter payment details
- ✓ No phone calls demanding immediate action
- ✓ You can check order history on amazon.co.uk yourself
- ✓ No mention of gift cards, remote access, or PINs
What Amazon will never ask you to do
Amazon has published a clear list of things their staff will never request. If someone claiming to be from Amazon does any of these, hang up or delete the message.
Ask for your bank account number or sort code over the phone
Ask you to buy gift cards to pay for anything
Tell you to install software or apps on your device
Ask for your Amazon password or one time verification code
Transfer you to another "department" that asks for payment
Demand payment through cryptocurrency or bank transfer
If you get one of these calls or texts
Don't press anything, don't click anything
If it's a call, hang up. If it's a text, don't tap the link. The safest thing you can do is ignore the message entirely. If something really was wrong with your Amazon account, you'd see it when you log in at amazon.co.uk yourself.
Check your account directly
Open the Amazon app or go to amazon.co.uk in your browser. Log in as you normally would. Check your orders, check your messages. If the call or text was about a real problem, you will see it there. If there's nothing, the message was a scam.
Report it to Amazon
Forward suspicious emails to [email protected]. You can also report scam calls and texts through the Amazon app by going to Account > Customer Service > Report Something Suspicious.
Tip: Amazon has a free tool called the Amazon Message Centre where you can verify whether any email you received was actually sent by Amazon.
Forward the text to 7726
If the scam came by text, forward it to 7726 (free from all UK networks). This helps your mobile provider block the number and prevent other people from getting the same message.
Already given them your details?
Act fast. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of stopping the damage.
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1
Ring your bank now
Call the number on the back of your debit or credit card. Tell them what happened and ask them to freeze your card and block any payments. You can also dial 159, the Stop Scams UK number, which connects you to your bank's fraud team. Most banks have round the clock fraud lines.
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2
Change your Amazon password
Log into your Amazon account at amazon.co.uk and change your password straight away. If you use the same password on other accounts (email, online banking, other shopping sites), change those too. Turn on two step verification in your Amazon security settings if you haven't already.
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3
Remove any remote access software
If you installed anything during the call, uninstall it immediately. Common ones include AnyDesk, TeamViewer, and similar screen sharing tools. Then run a full antivirus scan. If you're not sure how, take your device to a local computer repair shop and tell them what happened.
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4
Report it
Report to Report Fraud at reporting.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025). You'll get a crime reference number, which you'll need for any reimbursement claim with your bank. Under the Payment Systems Regulator's APP fraud rules, your bank may be required to refund you.
Where to report
Report Fraud
The UK's fraud and cyber crime reporting service (replaced Action Fraud in December 2025)
Forward Scam Texts
Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (spells SPAM)
Report to Amazon
Forward suspicious emails to Amazon directly
Or report through the Amazon appStop Scams UK
Call 159 to reach your bank's genuine fraud team
Golden Rules for Spotting Fake Amazon Messages
- Amazon will never ring you out of the blue about your account
- Check your orders at amazon.co.uk before responding to any message
- Never install software on your device because a caller tells you to
- Gift cards are never a legitimate form of payment to Amazon
- Forward scam texts to 7726 and emails to [email protected]
- Call your bank on the number on your card if you've shared details
- Tell someone else what's happened before doing anything
- Turn on two step verification on your Amazon account today