Trading Standards - Amazon Refund Scams

6th March 2025

There have been reports of scam text messages saying that there has been a 'significant price reduction' on an item you recently ordered from Amazon.

The message doesn't specify which item has been discounted, but asks you to click on a link to obtain a refund.

The link leads to a malicious website which uses Amazon branding and has been designed to look like their legitimate login page, where you are asked to enter your login details. In some cases, you may also be asked to 'update' your bank details.

39% of respondents to the 2024 Big Scottish Scam Survey had experienced a scam related to Amazon. Some other common scam calls, texts, and emails refer to an unauthorised order and ask you to act urgently to confirm or cancel the purchase by providing personal or payment information.
Others say there has been unauthorised activity on your account and that it will be suspended or locked. They try to convince you to provide personal or payment information or sign-in credentials.

How to Avoid
Amazon advise that if you receive a suspicious call, email or text claiming to be from them which asks for personal information, a payment, or offers a refund you don't expect, you should not give out any personal information.

If a message or cold caller tells you that a suspicious payment has been made, log in to your account on the official website or app to check this rather than providing any details over the phone.

Amazon will never cold call you to ask you to make a payment. They will never call and ask you to install an app or download software which will allow them to access to your computer remotely.

If you are not sure if a text message or email that appears to be from Amazon is legitimate, you can check the Message Centre via your account, which displays a log of authentic communications.

Never follow instructions from an unsolicited caller to download an app or software which would allow them to access your computer remotely.

Contact your bank immediately if you think you may have made a payment to a scammer or if you are worried that a fraudulent transaction has been made from your account.

Find Out More
Advice from Amazon on recognising genuine communications from them: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer
ScamShare Spotlight PDF on Amazon scams: www.tsscot.co.uk/spotlight-amazon