Is it a scam if Amazon called about an unauthorized charge on my account?

Almost certainly yes. Amazon does not make proactive outbound calls to customers about unauthorized charges or account problems. Amazon contacts you by email or through the app — not by phone. Any unsolicited call claiming to be from Amazon about a suspicious charge or account issue is a scam. Hang up and check your actual Amazon account directly in the app or at amazon.com.

What if I already gave them my Amazon password or payment information?

Act immediately. Go to amazon.com directly and change your password now. Check your order history for any orders you didn't place. Check your account's saved payment methods and remove any unfamiliar cards. If gift cards were purchased in your name, contact Amazon customer service to report fraud. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at IC3.gov.

The caller said there was a $400 Amazon Prime charge. Is it real?

Almost certainly a scam. Amazon Prime charges appear on your payment statement and as email receipts — Amazon does not call to warn you about them. The $300-$400 unauthorized Prime charge is one of the most commonly reported Amazon impersonation scripts. Check your actual Amazon account at amazon.com and your bank or credit card statement directly.

Is the Amazon Prime membership renewal email or text a scam?

Usually yes. A message saying your Prime membership is expiring or your payment is outdated, urging you to call a number or click a link to 'update' or 'cancel,' is a common phishing scam designed to steal your login or card details. Amazon does send Prime reminders, but they never demand immediate action or ask you to call a phone number. Manage Prime only by signing in to Amazon directly, never through a link in the message.

Business Impersonation ⚠ Almost Certainly a Scam

Amazon Called About an Unauthorized Charge. Is It Real or a Scam?

Q: How do I check if there actually is an unauthorized charge on my Amazon account?

Go directly to amazon.com — type it into your browser yourself, do not click any link from a call or email. Log in and check: Your Orders (for purchases you didn't make), Your Account > Payment Methods (for unfamiliar cards), and Your Account > Login & Security (for unfamiliar devices or sign-ins). Amazon also sends email receipts for every purchase — check your email for any orders you didn't place.

Q: How do I report an Amazon impersonation scam?

Report to Amazon directly by forwarding scam emails to stop-spoofing@amazon.com. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you lost money, also report to the FBI at IC3.gov. Amazon has a dedicated page for reporting impersonation at amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GDFU3JS5AL6SYHRD.

Q: Is Amazon itself a scam, and how do I know a message is really from Amazon?

Amazon is a legitimate company — but it is the most impersonated business in the United States, so scam calls, texts, and emails using its name are extremely common. To check whether a message is really from Amazon, don't click its links or call its numbers. Open the Amazon app or type amazon.com yourself, then check the Message Center under Your Account — genuine Amazon messages appear there. Also check Your Orders. If the message isn't reflected in your account, it's a scam.

Q: I received an Amazon package I didn't order — what is that?

This is likely a 'brushing' scam: a seller ships an unordered item to your address so they can post a fake 'verified purchase' review in your name. You are allowed to keep the item, but it means your name and address — and possibly more personal information — are exposed, so change your Amazon password and enable two-step verification. Do not scan any QR code on an unexpected package; the FTC has warned these can lead to phishing sites. Report the package using Amazon's Report Unwanted Package form.

💡

Amazon does not make proactive outbound calls to customers about unauthorized charges. Amazon contacts you by email and through the app — not by unsolicited phone call.

🚨 Almost Certainly a Scam

Amazon does not call customers to report suspicious charges, account problems, or unauthorized purchases. Amazon communicates through email and the app. The FTC ranked Amazon as the most impersonated business in the United States in 2023 and 2024 — ahead of every bank, retailer, and government agency.

Hang up. Then check your real Amazon account directly at amazon.com.

Source: Amazon — official guidance on impersonation scams · FTC Consumer Alert

Step 1

Hang up immediately

Do not stay on to "verify" anything

Step 2

Check your real Amazon account

Type amazon.com yourself — don't click any link they gave you

Step 3

If you gave info or paid — act now

Emergency recovery steps →

How to Know in 60 Seconds If It Was Real

Check these against your call. If any match, it was a scam.

Did Amazon call you out of the blue? Amazon does not make unsolicited outbound calls about charges, account problems, or suspicious activity. Amazon communicates by email and through notifications in the Amazon app. Any unexpected call claiming to be Amazon is almost certainly fraudulent.
Did they mention a large unauthorized charge — often $300–$500? The script for this scam typically claims there is a $300–$500 charge on your account for an Amazon Prime membership, iPhone, laptop, or gift cards. This specific amount and scenario is one of the most documented Amazon impersonation scripts in FTC complaint data.
Did they ask you to press a number, call back, or stay on the line? Amazon automated fraud alerts — when they do exist — direct you to log into your account, not to call a number or stay on a call. Any prompt to press a number to "speak to an agent about your account" is a scam tactic.
Did they ask for your account password, payment card details, or gift card numbers? Amazon will never ask for your password or gift card numbers over the phone. A real Amazon representative can access your account without needing your password. Any request for these details is fraudulent.
Want to check if there's actually an unauthorized charge? Type amazon.com directly into your browser and log in. Go to Returns & Orders to see all recent purchases. Check Account > Payment Methods for unfamiliar cards. Any real charge will appear there — not just in a phone call.

What This Scam Is and How It Works

Amazon impersonation scams are the single most common business impersonation scam in the United States. You receive either a robocall or a real caller claiming to be Amazon's fraud department, reporting a suspicious charge on your account. The charge is typically specific — "$379.99 for an iPhone" or "$299 for Amazon Prime" — to create urgency and believability.

The goal is to get your Amazon password (to take over your account and make real purchases) or to convince you to cancel the "unauthorized charge" by purchasing gift cards and reading the numbers over the phone. A second variant asks you to install a remote access app to "help secure your account" — giving the scammer full access to your device.

The FTC received over 96,000 Amazon impersonation reports in 2023 alone, with losses exceeding $19 million. These operations run year-round and spike around major shopping events. For the broader pattern: → Tech Support & Business Impersonation Guide

What If It Came by Text, Email, or Voicemail Instead?

The same scam reaches people by text, email, and voicemail too — and Amazon is the most impersonated brand in the country, so these are everywhere. Amazon does send some genuine order and account messages, so here's how to tell its real notices from the fakes.

Texts or emails about an order, delivery, or charge you don't recognize. Amazon will never ask you by text to provide personal information, payment details, gift card codes, or to call a phone number. Don't click the link. Open the Amazon app or type amazon.com yourself and check Your Orders — if there's no matching order, the message is a scam.
"Your Prime membership is expiring / your payment is outdated." Fake Prime-renewal messages push you to call a number or click a link to "update" or "cancel." Amazon does send Prime reminders, but they never demand immediate action or ask you to call. Manage Prime only by signing in at amazon.com directly.
A verification code (one-time passcode) you didn't request. It usually means someone is trying to get into your account — but they can't without the code, so you're safe as long as you never share it. Amazon will never contact you first to ask for a code, password, or payment details. Anyone who asks for your code is a scammer.
An "unexpected refund" or "we refunded you too much." A caller or message claiming you're owed a refund for something you didn't buy — or that they accidentally refunded too much and you must repay the difference — is a scam designed to get into your bank account. Amazon issues refunds to your original payment method automatically; it never needs you to "return" money.

What to Do in the Next 30 Minutes

✓ If you hung up and gave no information

Log into your real Amazon account at amazon.com (type it yourself) and check Returns & Orders for any purchases you didn't make.
If everything looks normal, you have nothing to worry about — no charge was placed on your account.
Block the number so they cannot call again.
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and forward any scam emails to stop-spoofing@amazon.com.

⚠ If you gave your password, payment info, or bought gift cards

Change your Amazon password immediately — go to amazon.com, then Account > Login & Security > Password. Do this before anything else.
Check your Amazon order history and cancel any orders you didn't place. Check saved payment methods and remove any unfamiliar cards.
If you gave your credit or debit card number: call your bank immediately to report fraud and request a new card.
If you bought gift cards: call the retailer's fraud line right now. If cards haven't been drained, they may freeze them. Also contact Amazon to report gift card fraud at 1-888-280-4331.
If you gave remote access to your computer: disconnect from the internet immediately and change all passwords from a different device. → Full recovery guide

Packages You Didn't Order? The "Brushing" Scam

If an Amazon package shows up that you never ordered — and it's not a gift from someone you know — you may be the target of a brushing scam. A dishonest seller ships a cheap item to your address so they can post a fake "verified purchase" review in your name, making their products look more popular.

You're allowed to keep the item, but the real concern is what it signals: your name and address — and possibly more personal information — are circulating. Take a few minutes to change your Amazon password and turn on two-step verification (Account → Login & Security), and watch your account for orders you didn't place. Do not scan any QR code on an unexpected package — the FTC has warned that these can lead to phishing sites that steal your information. Report the package using Amazon's Report Unwanted Package form in the Help section.

Common Questions

Almost certainly yes. Amazon does not make proactive outbound calls to customers about unauthorized charges or account problems. Amazon contacts you by email and through the app — not by unsolicited phone call. Hang up and check your actual account at amazon.com directly.

Go to amazon.com directly — type it yourself, do not click any link from the call or a suspicious email. Log in and check Returns & Orders for any purchases you didn't make, Account > Payment Methods for unfamiliar cards, and Account > Login & Security for unfamiliar devices or recent sign-ins. Amazon emails a receipt for every purchase — if there's no email and no order showing in your account, no charge was placed.

Almost certainly a scam. This is one of the most commonly reported Amazon impersonation scripts — a caller claims there is a $300–$500 unauthorized charge for Prime, an iPhone, or gift cards. Amazon Prime charges appear on your payment statement and as email receipts. Check your actual account at amazon.com and your bank statement directly to verify.

Change your Amazon password immediately at amazon.com — Account > Login & Security > Password. Check your order history and payment methods for unauthorized changes. If you gave a card number, call your bank immediately. If you gave remote access to your computer, disconnect from the internet now and change all passwords from a different device. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Forward any scam emails to stop-spoofing@amazon.com. Report phone scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you lost money, also report to the FBI at IC3.gov. Amazon's fraud reporting page is at amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GDFU3JS5AL6SYHRD.

Amazon is a legitimate company — but it's the most impersonated business in the U.S., so scam calls, texts, and emails using its name are very common. To check whether a message is really from Amazon, don't click its links or call its numbers. Open the Amazon app or type amazon.com yourself, then check the Message Center under Your Account — genuine Amazon messages appear there. Also check Your Orders. If the message isn't reflected in your account, it's a scam.

Usually yes. A message saying your Prime membership is expiring or your payment is outdated — urging you to call a number or click a link to "update" or "cancel" — is a common phishing scam to steal your login or card details. Amazon does send Prime reminders, but they never demand immediate action or ask you to call a phone number. Manage Prime only by signing in to Amazon directly, never through a link in the message.

It usually means someone entered your email or phone at the Amazon sign-in page and is trying to get into your account — but they can't without the code, so your account is safe as long as you never share it. Amazon will never contact you first to ask for a one-time code, password, or payment details. If a caller, text, or email asks for the code, it's a scam. Change your Amazon password and turn on two-step verification to be safe.

This is likely a "brushing" scam: a seller ships an unordered item to your address so they can post a fake "verified purchase" review in your name. You're allowed to keep the item, but it means your name and address — and possibly more personal information — are exposed, so change your Amazon password and enable two-step verification. Do not scan any QR code on an unexpected package; the FTC has warned these can lead to phishing sites. Report the package using Amazon's Report Unwanted Package form.

How to Reach the Real Amazon and Verify a Message

Amazon is a legitimate company — it's simply the most impersonated brand in the country, so the safest habit is to ignore whatever contacted you and go to Amazon yourself. Amazon does not make unsolicited calls about charges and never asks for your password, a verification code, gift cards, or payment over the phone or by text.

To check whether a message is genuinely from Amazon, open the app or type amazon.com into your browser yourself, then look in the Message Center under "Your Account" — real Amazon messages appear there. Review Your Orders and Login & Security for anything unfamiliar. If you need help, use Amazon's customer service from within the app or site rather than a number from a search ad, and report scams to reportascam@amazon.com.

Official Numbers and Report Links

Verified from official sources, confirmed June 2026.

What you need	Number / Link
Check your Amazon account for real charges	Type amazon.com directly → Returns & Orders
Real Amazon customer service	1-888-280-4331 — look up at amazon.com yourself
Report Amazon impersonation	reportascam@amazon.com · forward scam emails to stop-spoofing@amazon.com
Report to FTC	ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report to FBI	IC3.gov

Do not call back any number the caller gave you — it connects to the scammer. Amazon's real number is 1-888-280-4331 but look this up at amazon.com yourself to be certain.

Want to understand business impersonation scams more fully?

Our tech support scam guide covers how Amazon, Microsoft, and bank impersonation scams work, the scripts callers use, and step-by-step guidance for what to do if you've already been targeted.

→ Tech Support & Business Impersonation Guide