AMAZON SECURITY

Amazon Scam Emails: How to Spot Fake Amazon Emails

Real phishing examples reveal how scammers impersonate Amazon and what to do if you receive one

By SpamScore LLC • December 2025 • 13 min read

Amazon phishing scams are among the most common email attacks. Because everyone knows and trusts Amazon, scammers use their name to trick you into giving up your password, payment methods, or personal information. Here's exactly what to look for.

Why Scammers Target Amazon Customers

Amazon is a prime phishing target because:

  • Millions of active users - Wide audience for scam emails
  • High trust level - People expect emails from Amazon
  • Payment methods linked - Hacked accounts mean instant access to your money
  • Prime membership - Valuable subscription to steal
  • Seller accounts - Business accounts have higher value to criminals

Common Amazon Phishing Email Types

1. "Verify Your Account" Phishing Emails

❌ FAKE AMAZON EMAIL

From: amazon-security@amaz0n-verify.com

Subject: URGENT: Your Amazon Account Has Been Suspended

"We detected unusual activity on your account. Click here immediately to verify your identity or face permanent suspension."

🚩 Red Flags:

  • Wrong domain: amaz0n-verify.com (zero instead of "o")
  • Generic greeting ("Valued Customer")
  • EXTREME urgency and threat language
  • Asks to click link instead of logging in directly
  • No specific details about the "unusual activity"

✅ REAL AMAZON EMAIL

From: account-security-noreply@amazon.com

Subject: We signed in to your Amazon account

"Hi [Your Name], Your Amazon account was signed in from the location below..."

✓ Real Signs:

  • Correct domain: amazon.com (no hyphens or variations)
  • Uses your actual name in greeting
  • Provides specific location and time details
  • No urgent language or threats
  • Offers easy next steps directly in the email

2. "Update Your Payment Method" Phishing Scams

❌ FAKE AMAZON EMAIL

From: billing@amazon-account.net

Subject: Your Card Declined - Update Payment Info Now

"Your recent order failed. Update your payment method immediately or your account will be frozen."

🚩 Red Flags:

  • Wrong domain: amazon-account.net (not amazon.com)
  • Asks to update payment method via email link
  • Threatens account suspension/freezing
  • Amazon NEVER asks for payment info via email
  • No specific order number or date mentioned

3. "Prime Membership Expiring" Scams

❌ FAKE AMAZON EMAIL

From: prime@amazon-services.com

Subject: Amazon Prime Expiring - Renew Now

"Your Prime membership expires in 24 hours. Click to renew and keep your benefits."

🚩 Red Flags:

  • Wrong domain: amazon-services.com (not amazon.com)
  • Generic greeting without your name
  • Creates urgency with 24-hour deadline
  • Link likely goes to fake renewal page
  • Amazon sends renewal notices to your account, not via email

4. "Confirm Your Identity" Phishing

❌ FAKE AMAZON EMAIL

From: verify@amazom.com

Subject: Confirm Your Amazon Identity

"We need to confirm your identity. Enter your SSN and credit card info to verify."

🚩 Red Flags:

  • Domain misspelled: amazom (missing "z")
  • Asks for SSN and credit card in email
  • Amazon NEVER asks for SSN via email
  • Legitimate verification happens in your account
  • This is 100% a scam attempt

5 Critical Rules for Amazon Emails

Rule #1: Correct Domain Matters

Real Amazon emails are from @amazon.com. Look for variations: amaz0n.com, amazn.com, amazon.co, amazon-security.com are all FAKE.

Rule #2: Amazon NEVER Asks for Passwords or SSN

If an email asks for your password, SSN, credit card number, or security questions, it's 100% a scam. Amazon already has all that info.

Rule #3: Never Click Links in Urgent Emails

Real account issues appear in your Amazon account dashboard first. If an email claims urgency, log into Amazon directly to check instead of clicking the link.

Rule #4: Hover Before Clicking

Hover your mouse over any link to see the real URL. It should point to amazon.com, not amazon-verify.com or phishing-site.fake.

Rule #5: Go Direct to Your Account

Type amazon.com into your browser (don't click email links) and log in. Check your account directly. Real problems will be visible there.

What to Do If You Clicked a Fake Amazon Link

🚨 Immediate Actions (Next 30 Minutes)

  1. Change your Amazon password immediately from a different device
  2. Check your account activity - Review recent orders and activity
  3. Review payment methods - Make sure no new cards or addresses were added
  4. Enable 2-Factor Authentication in your Amazon security settings
  5. Contact Amazon directly at 1-888-280-4331 to report the phishing attempt

Within 1 Hour

  • File a report with the FBI (IC3.gov) if you entered payment information
  • Check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com (free)
  • Monitor all linked credit cards and bank accounts for unauthorized charges

Within 24 Hours

  • Review all recent Amazon orders for unauthorized purchases
  • Check email account used for Amazon (may have been compromised too)
  • Change passwords on other accounts using the same password
  • Contact your credit card companies to place fraud alerts

Amazon Seller Account Protection

If you sell on Amazon, you're at higher risk. Scammers target sellers to:

  • Lock you out of your business account
  • Steal your inventory and sales
  • Redirect payments to fraudulent bank accounts
  • Damage your seller rating and reputation

Extra security steps for Amazon sellers:

  • Use a unique, 20+ character password
  • Enable 2-Factor Authentication immediately
  • Monitor seller dashboard daily
  • Set up withdrawal restrictions if available
  • Use a separate email address for seller account (not your personal email)
  • Regularly check payment method and payout settings

Learn how to secure your Amazon account and recognize phishing attempts in real time

🔍 Test Your Skills: Scan Amazon Emails

Paste any suspicious Amazon email into our scanner to instantly analyze it. Our AI shows you exactly why it's dangerous before you click anything.

Scan An Email Free →

🛡️ Verify Before You Click

Use SpamScore to analyze any suspicious Amazon email. Forward it to scan@getspamscore.com for instant AI analysis of what makes it dangerous.

Check Your Email Free →

Last updated: December 2025. Amazon phishing scams are constantly evolving. When in doubt, go directly to Amazon.com and check your account instead of trusting email links.