Is that Amazon email or text a scam?
Amazon's name is among the most frequently impersonated in phishing attacks. Common formats include: a fake order confirmation for an expensive item you didn't buy (designed to panic you into clicking 'cancel order'); an account security alert claiming unauthorised access; a Prime membership renewal with an inflated amount; and a 'gift card' or prize associated with your account.
As with all brand-impersonation phishing, the goal is either to steal your Amazon credentials (email/password) or your payment card details, via a fake login page. In some variants, a phone number is included to draw you into a vishing call.
Amazon sends a very large volume of genuine email, which makes fake Amazon emails feel plausible and gives them cover. The verification steps are simple.
🚩 Red flags to watch for
- ▶The sender address isn't @amazon.com or a recognised Amazon domain (amazon.co.uk, amazon.de, etc.).
- ▶An order confirmation for something you didn't purchase, with a button to 'cancel' or 'dispute'.
- ▶A link destination that isn't amazon.com — check by hovering before clicking.
- ▶A phone number to call for 'support' is prominently featured in the email.
- ▶The email asks you to confirm or re-enter your credit card details to 'verify your account'.
- ▶Urgency language: 'Your account will be suspended', 'Respond within 24 hours'.
✅ What to do
- 1Check your real orders by going directly to amazon.com or the official app — all genuine order activity, account alerts, and messages appear in your account without needing the email link.
- 2Amazon's 'Message Centre' (in Your Account settings) shows every genuine communication Amazon has sent you — if it's not there, it's not from Amazon.
- 3Forward suspected phishing emails to stop-spoofing@amazon.com.
- 4If you entered your Amazon password: change it immediately, review linked payment methods, and check recent order history for unauthorized purchases.
📣 Where to report (by country)
🇺🇸 United States
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Action Fraud
- Police Scotland — call 101
🇦🇺 Australia
🇨🇦 Canada
🌍 Everywhere else
- Contact your local police and your bank immediately
- If money was sent, ask your bank about a recall request — act within hours
Got a suspicious message right now?
Paste it into our free AI checker for an instant pattern analysis
No account needed · Free to try · Privacy-first
Check your message free →No tool is a guarantee. AI pattern detection is a guide, not a verdict — always use your own judgment.
Common questions
Amazon sent a real-looking email about an order I didn't place. What should I do?
Log in to your Amazon account directly (don't click the email link) and check Your Orders. If no such order exists, the email is fake. If an order does appear that you didn't place, change your password and contact Amazon through the official Help centre.
Is there a way to tell if an Amazon email is real without clicking anything?
Yes. Go to amazon.com → Your Account → Message Centre. Every genuine email Amazon sends will appear there. This is the definitive check — no phishing email will ever appear in your Amazon Message Centre.