How to recognise common Amazon-related cancellation and customer-service scams — and protect yourself from falling victim.
⚠ What These Scams Are
Scammers frequently impersonate Amazon (or claim to be from an “Amazon Cancellations Department”, “Amazon Security”, or “Customer Support”).
They contact people by phone, text, or email and try to create urgency around an order, subscription, or account issue.
The goal is almost always the same: to trick you into giving away login details, payment information, one-time codes, remote access to your device, or money (often via gift cards or bank transfers).
Key fact: Amazon will almost never call or text you unsolicited about cancellations, suspicious orders, or account problems. Real Amazon communications appear inside your Amazon account (Message Centre / Your Orders) or come from official Amazon domains.
🚩 Common Red Flags
Unexpected phone calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from Amazon about a cancellation, unauthorised order, or account suspension.
Pressure to act immediately (“your account will be locked in 30 minutes”, “press 1 to cancel now”).
Requests for your Amazon password, one-time verification code, full card details, or Social Security / National Insurance number.
Instructions to install remote-access software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, etc.).
Requests to pay by gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or “refund” money that was “sent by mistake”.
Links that do not go to amazon.com or the official Amazon app.
Caller ID or email address that looks official but is actually spoofed or from a free email service.
🛡 How to Protect Yourself
✓ Do This
Always go directly to amazon.com or open the official Amazon app yourself.
Check Your Orders and the Message Centre inside your account.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Amazon account.
Use unique, strong passwords (a password manager helps).
Hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be Amazon.
Report suspicious messages to Amazon and the relevant authorities.
✗ Never Do This
Never click links in unexpected Amazon emails or texts.
Never give passwords, codes, or card details over the phone.
Never install remote-access software because someone asked you to.
Never pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency for any Amazon-related issue.
Never call back a number that was left in a voicemail or text.
Best daily habit
If you receive any message about an Amazon order or cancellation, open a new browser tab, type amazon.com yourself (or use the official app), sign in, and look at Your Orders. If the claimed order or issue is not there, the message is fake.
📋 What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Targeted
Stop all communication with the person or number immediately.
Change your Amazon password and enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already.
Check your bank and credit-card statements for unauthorised charges and contact your bank if needed.
If you shared sensitive information, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the relevant credit agencies in your country.
You can also forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) in many countries so your mobile carrier can investigate the number.
💡 Quick Reminder
Amazon does NOT have a special “Cancellations Department” that cold-calls or texts customers.
Legitimate order changes, cancellations, and refunds are handled through your Amazon account or official support channels that you initiate yourself.
When in doubt, ignore the message, go directly to the official website or app, and verify everything yourself. That simple habit stops the vast majority of these scams.