Amazon Warns Prime Members of Rising Phishing Scams: Over 55,000 Fake Sites Taken Down
Amazon warns Prime users of a surge in phishing scams and reveals it shut down 55,000 fake sites. Users urged to verify emails and avoid sharing sensitive info.
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Amazon has issued a strong warning to its Prime members following a sharp surge in phishing scams targeting users. Fraudsters are impersonating Amazon in emails, texts, and phone calls to trick users into revealing sensitive data such as banking information, login credentials, and even social security numbers.
Spike in Phishing Attempts
According to a report by the New York Post, Amazon disclosed that it removed more than 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 fraudulent phone numbers in 2024 alone. These scams often appear as messages about fake orders, account issues, or bogus subscription renewals — all designed to trick recipients into handing over personal data.
What Scammers Are Doing
Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s VP of Selling Partner Services, warned that although these scams occur outside of Amazon’s ecosystem, they pose serious risks to consumers.
“Scammers who attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk. We’re committed to protecting users and educating the public on how to identify and avoid scams,” Mehta said.
Common phishing attempts include:
- Fake emails claiming unauthorized purchases.
- Texts stating your Amazon Prime subscription is about to auto-renew at an inflated price.
- Calls urging you to "verify" personal details.
- Bogus “Cancel Subscription” buttons leading to fake login pages.
If users fall for these traps, hackers can gain access not only to Amazon accounts but also to other platforms where the same login credentials are used.
Amazon’s New Anti-Scam Measures
Amazon is now partnering with major email providers like Gmail and Yahoo to display the official Amazon smile logo next to verified emails, helping users spot legitimate communications more easily. The company also reiterated:
- It never asks for payments via email or phone.
- It never requests gift card purchases.
- It encourages users to check order history only through the official app or website.
How to Stay Safe
- Double-check suspicious messages.
- Avoid clicking on unknown links or buttons.
- Report phishing attempts directly to Amazon.
- Use unique passwords for different platforms.
