89% of buyers</a> are more likely to buy products from Amazon than other ecommerce sites. All things considered, it is among the safest platforms for online shopping. \r\nSadly, not even Amazon is safe from scammers. Despite the platform’s strict seller verification processes, scammers do slip through the cracks and it can be a while before they are caught. Before being booted off Amazon, a scammer can end up trapping several victims and steal their money. \r\nAmazon scams can occur from both sides. It is not always the seller who scams the buyer as there are many unscrupulous people who place orders with the intention of defrauding the seller or even Amazon itself. Fake job offers from people posing as Amazon executives are also common. In this article, we will only be looking at scams that affect buyers on Amazon. \r\n \r\n<h2>Types of Amazon Scams</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Fake products: Counterfeits and bait-and-switch are scams that you need to watch out for. Sellers might list products as genuine using images and descriptions of the real product but deliver fakes instead. Many buyers may not even realize that they have been sent counterfeit products. In other cases, the product may be completely different compared to the listed item. In 2020 alone, Amazon blocked <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/consumer/amazon-says-it-blocked-10-billion-suspected-counterfeit-listings/">10 billion listings</a> of counterfeit products. </li>\r\n<li>Fake reviews: Fake reviews are a shockingly common problem on Amazon, with as many as <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/how-merchants-secretly-use-facebook-to-flood-amazon-with-fake-reviews/2018/04/23/5dad1e30-4392-11e8-8569-26fda6b404c7_story.html/">67% of reviews</a> in certain categories being flagged as ‘questionable’. A recent data leak also revealed a large-scale fake review scam involving 200,000 individuals. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t trust reviews at all, rather you should not trust them blindly. Many sellers also <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YjEdaU1xTc\%22>offer free products or gift cards</a> in exchange for positive reviews.</li>\r\n</ul>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageHalf","_identifier":"block-17108","data":{"imageLeft":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/f857d05-copy-9bb8a.jpg_900x.jpg","imageRight":null}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-17111","data":{"text":"<ul>\r\n<li>Payment Scams: Some Amazon sellers may contact you off the platform and offer a discount if you agree to make a purchase outside the platform. This can be extremely risky as Amazon’s customer satisfaction guarantees no longer apply once you take the transaction off Amazon. If the seller sends a damaged or fake product, or doesn’t send anything at all, it will be very hard to get your money back.  </li>\r\n<li>Fake Customer Support Scams: There are scammers posing as customer support representatives from Amazon who call buyers regarding fake problems with their account or order. In many cases, they somehow obtain information that you would assume that only Amazon would have. They may ask for sensitive information such as person or payment details over the phone, which they will then use for identity theft or unauthorized transactions. </li>\r\n<li>Phishing Scams: There are also several variations of emails and messages that attempt to mimic those sent by Amazon. These contain fake links that lead to login or payment pages that look exactly like Amazon, but send the information to scammers. Variations include messages about free gifts, failed delivery, returns or replacements, renewal or cancellation of Prime subscriptions and more.</li>\r\n</ul>"}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageHalf","_identifier":"block-17123","data":{"imageLeft":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/screenshot-20210510-185102-01-58a63.jpg_900x.jpg","imageRight":null}},{"_template":"Articles\\ImageHalf","_identifier":"block-17126","data":{"imageLeft":"https://whitelabel-manager-production.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumbs/screenshot-20210510-185113-b7b7b.jpg_900x.jpg","imageRight":null}},{"_template":"Articles\\Text","_identifier":"block-17129","data":{"text":"<h2>How to Avoid Amazon Scams</h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Compare prices with other sellers: Try to find multiple sellers who are offering the same product. The prices should be roughly the same across the board. If one seller’s price is considerably lower than others, say more than 20%, there’s a fair chance that they may be selling fakes. If there is only one seller for the item on Amazon, compare the price on other platforms. You can also install an extension such as <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.fakespot.com//">Fakespot for easy comparison. </li>\r\n<li>Read the reviews: Looking at the ratings of a product alone can prove to be an easy way for getting scammed. Delving a bit deeper into the reviews might reveal hints that they are not genuine. Read our article about <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"scam-reports/tips-support/3521/how-to-recognize-fake-reviews/">recognizing fake reviews</a> to know the signs to watch out for. </li>\r\n<li>Don’t share account or payment details over the phone: There is no problem that can only be solved over the phone. If you receive a call about a problem with an order or your Amazon account, never share sensitive details with the person at the other end of the line no matter how convincing they sound. You can get off the call and log in to Amazon directly to check if there really is an issue. </li>\r\n<li>Don’t click on links in emails and messages: Clicking on links can be dangerous too because they can lead to pages that are exactly identical to Amazon’s website but are operated by scammers. To be sure about your account status or activity, visit Amazon directly through the app or by typing in the URL in your browser. Here are <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G4YFYCCNUSENA23B\%22>some useful tips</a> by Amazon themselves about identifying potentially malicious communications.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h2>What to Do If You Get Caught in an Amazon Scam</h2>\r\nMaybe you reached this page a little too late and have already fallen victim to an Amazon scam. Follow the steps mentioned by Amazon for a resolution:\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-6?ie=UTF8&nodeId=GPXKBLY3LY4ZNG5H&qid=1621005421&sr=1-6\%22>Report a Security Issue</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-3?ie=UTF8&nodeId=GRGRY7AQ3LMPXVCV&qid=1621005421&sr=1-3\%22>Report Suspicious Emails, Phone Calls, Text Messages, or Webpages</a></li>\r\n<li><a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=help_search_1-4?ie=UTF8&nodeId=G33XVXQPUV79Z2ZC&qid=1621006034&sr=1-4\%22>Report Unsolicited Package or Brushing Scams</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n If you have any feedback regarding the article or would like to report issues such as broken links, please feel free to <a href=https://www.scamadviser.com/"contact/">contact us</a>."}}],"sidebarBlocks":[{"_template":"Small\\Content\\Cta","_identifier":"block-157084","data":{"title":"Report a Scam!","consumer":null,"description":"Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? 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If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.","description":null,"listItems":[{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167891","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - iOS","titleUrl":"https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scamadviser/id6480509109","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-167944","data":{"title":"ScamAdviser App - Android","titleUrl":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tech.scamadviser","linkTarget":"1","text":"Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on Android."}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-169734","data":{"title":"NordVPN","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-13382109","linkTarget":"1","text":"NordVPN keeps your connection private and secure whether you are at home, traveling, or streaming from another country. It protects your data, blocks unwanted ads and trackers, and helps you access your paid subscriptions anywhere. Try it Today!"}},{"_template":"Default\\Items\\ListItem","_identifier":"block-171573","data":{"title":"Incogni","titleUrl":"http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101566658-15718702","linkTarget":"1","text":"Incogni automatically removes your personal data from data brokers that trade in personal information online, helping reduce scam and identity theft risks without the hassle of manual opt-outs. 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A VPN works by creating a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet, masking your real IP address and protecting your sensitive data from prying eyes.\r\nBut with hundreds of providers out there, how do you sort the secure from the suspect? This guide breaks down the non-negotiable features of a quality VPN and highlights the 7 top-rated services for 2025.\r\nWhat to Look for in a Good VPN: The 4 Non-Negotiable Pillars\r\n1. Ironclad Security Features\r\n\r\nStrong Encryption: AES-256, the gold standard.\r\nSecure Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, NordLynx, Lightway. Avoid PPTP.\r\nKill Switch: Ensures no accidental IP leaks.\r\nLeak Protection: Covers DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC.\r\n\r\n2. Verified Privacy Practices\r\n\r\nNo-Logs Policy: No activity or metadata tracking.\r\nIndependent Audits: Verification by third parties.\r\nSafe Jurisdiction: Prefer countries outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.\r\n\r\n3. High-Speed Performance\r\n\r\nFast Protocols: WireGuard and equivalents.\r\nLarge Server Network: Less crowding, more reliable speeds.\r\n\r\n4. Essential Usability Features\r\n\r\nMulti-Device Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers.\r\nSimultaneous Connections: One account, many devices.\r\nUnblocking Power: Netflix, Hulu, BBC ","buttonText":"Read more","renderAsInertiaLink":false},{"id":1475,"title":"Data Breach Victim? Your Emergency Action Plan Starts Now","url":"https://www.scamadviser.com/articles/data-breach-victim-your-emergency-action-plan-starts-now","excerpt":"How to Protect Yourself and Your Family After a Data Breach\r\nWhen Your Data Falls Into the Wrong Hands\r\nJust received that terrifying notification? Or perhaps you've noticed suspicious activity in your accounts? Take a deep breath. A data breach, the unauthorized access or exposure of sensitive, protected, or confidential data, is a deeply unsettling event. It can plunge you into a world of worry, bringing risks from financial losses and identity theft to significant emotional distress and reputational damage.\r\nThe numbers don't lie: according to a 2024 report, the number of data breach victim notices has grown by a staggering 211% year-over-year. This isn't just a distant threat; it's a stark reality many individuals face. This year alone, we've seen major organizations like Adidas and Qantas grapple with high-profile data breaches, affecting countless customers. This underscores a critical truth: nobody is untouchable. 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How to Avoid Amazon Scams

Scam Trends

#Phishing & Identity Theft #Online Shopping Scams #Fake Product Scams (Counterfeits)#Amazon Scams

Author: James Greening

May 14, 2021

Amazon is the most well-known global ecommerce platform. Operating since 1994, it started as an online bookstore but now you can find pretty much any product on the site. Thanks to its convenience, quality assurance and customer-protection policies, 89% of buyers are more likely to buy products from Amazon than other ecommerce sites. All things considered, it is among the safest platforms for online shopping.

Sadly, not even Amazon is safe from scammers. Despite the platform’s strict seller verification processes, scammers do slip through the cracks and it can be a while before they are caught. Before being booted off Amazon, a scammer can end up trapping several victims and steal their money.

Amazon scams can occur from both sides. It is not always the seller who scams the buyer as there are many unscrupulous people who place orders with the intention of defrauding the seller or even Amazon itself. Fake job offers from people posing as Amazon executives are also common. In this article, we will only be looking at scams that affect buyers on Amazon.

Types of Amazon Scams

Fake products: Counterfeits and bait-and-switch are scams that you need to watch out for. Sellers might list products as genuine using images and descriptions of the real product but deliver fakes instead. Many buyers may not even realize that they have been sent counterfeit products. In other cases, the product may be completely different compared to the listed item. In 2020 alone, Amazon blocked 10 billion listings of counterfeit products.
Fake reviews: Fake reviews are a shockingly common problem on Amazon, with as many as 67% of reviews in certain categories being flagged as ‘questionable’. A recent data leak also revealed a large-scale fake review scam involving 200,000 individuals.

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t trust reviews at all, rather you should not trust them blindly. Many sellers also offer free products or gift cards in exchange for positive reviews.

Payment Scams: Some Amazon sellers may contact you off the platform and offer a discount if you agree to make a purchase outside the platform. This can be extremely risky as Amazon’s customer satisfaction guarantees no longer apply once you take the transaction off Amazon. If the seller sends a damaged or fake product, or doesn’t send anything at all, it will be very hard to get your money back.
Fake Customer Support Scams: There are scammers posing as customer support representatives from Amazon who call buyers regarding fake problems with their account or order. In many cases, they somehow obtain information that you would assume that only Amazon would have. They may ask for sensitive information such as person or payment details over the phone, which they will then use for identity theft or unauthorized transactions.
Phishing Scams: There are also several variations of emails and messages that attempt to mimic those sent by Amazon. These contain fake links that lead to login or payment pages that look exactly like Amazon, but send the information to scammers. Variations include messages about free gifts, failed delivery, returns or replacements, renewal or cancellation of Prime subscriptions and more.