Fraudsters pretending to be Amazon have stolen £86,837 in just nine days, prompting a fresh police warning about fake calls claiming there’s a problem with your account.
The City of London Police warning, issued on 30 October 2026, follows 110 reports of Amazon impersonation between 5 and 14 October.
People aged 50 to 79 accounted for 60% of reports, although anyone could receive one of these calls.
How the fake Amazon calls work
The scam starts with an unexpected call from someone claiming to work for Amazon.
They tell you there’s been suspicious activity on your account, such as items added to your basket or an order being sent to an address you don’t recognise.
The caller then offers to stop the purchase and secure your account.
But to do this, they might ask you to:
- Share your phone or computer screen, or install software that lets them control your device.
- Send a copy of your passport or driving licence to prove your identity.
- Download a money transfer app or approve a payment to supposedly stop fraudulent purchases.
Amazon also warns that scammers may ask for passwords or one-time security codes.
This isn’t the only Amazon trick to watch for. We’ve previously reported on fake Amazon Prime cancellation emails designed to steal account details.
Skint Dad says:
What makes this scam particularly worrying is that the caller sounds as though they’re trying to help you stop someone stealing your money.
It’s worth having a quick chat with family members about this, especially anyone who might feel pressured by an unexpected call.
Tell them about the fake Amazon order trick and agree on one simple rule: end the call and check independently. If they’re unsure how to check their account, they can ask someone they trust for help instead of following the caller’s instructions.
What should you do if you get a call?
If someone claiming to be Amazon rings you unexpectedly about a suspicious order:
- Hang up. Don’t feel pressured to sort anything out while you’re on the phone.
- Check your Amazon account yourself. Open the Amazon app or type amazon.co.uk into your browser. Look at Your Orders and contact Amazon through its official customer service if needed.
- Don’t share personal information or give anyone access to your device. Amazon won’t ask for your password, security codes or bank details over the phone.
- Report the call. If it came to your mobile, text the word Call, followed by the caller’s number, to 7726.
Don’t trust the number displayed on your phone either. Scammers can make their calls appear to come from genuine companies.
And receiving one of these calls doesn’t mean your Amazon account has actually been hacked.
What if you’ve already followed their instructions?
If you’ve shared information or given someone access to your device, act straight away.
- Contact your bank if you’ve shared banking details or sent money. Use the number on your bank card or call 159 if your bank participates. Our guide to calling 159 explains how the service works.
- Change affected passwords using a different, safe device if you’ve given away login details. Our guide to hacked accounts explains the steps you can take to secure your logins.
- Disconnect your device from the internet if you’ve installed remote-access software, and get trusted technical help before using it for banking again.
- Report any identity documents you’ve shared to Report Fraud and contact the organisation that issued them for advice.
You can report fraud through Report Fraud or call 0300 123 2040 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.
