Scams going around · Phone calls

Amazon suspicious purchase scam

Pretends to be Amazon customer service. A recorded call, text or email says someone ordered something on your Amazon account, like an iPhone. It tells you to press 1, call a number or tap a link to cancel it. It is not Amazon. The scammer wants your card number, a sign-in code (a one-time code for signing in) or gift cards. Or they want to talk you into moving your money.

An example of what it can look like

Not a real message: the details are made up.

Recorded call. Caller ID: Amazon (206) 555-0142
This is Amazon customer service. An order for an iPhone was charged to the card on your Amazon account. We noticed suspicious activity and put this order on hold. To cancel it, press 1 now to speak to an agent, or call us back at (206) 555-0142.

How to tell

It is about an Amazon order you never placed, or it says your account will be suspended unless you fix a billing problem right away.
It tells you to press 1, call a number or tap a link. Caller ID may say Amazon, because scammers can fake the number that shows.
You are asked for your card number, your password, a sign-in code (the one-time code sent when you sign in) or gift cards. Amazon says it will never ask for these over the phone.
Someone on the call says they are from the government, like the FTC. Or they say your Social Security number was used to open accounts, or that you will be arrested.
You are told to keep it a secret, or to move your money to “protect” it.

What to do

Hang up. Do not press 1, and do not call back the number that called you or a number left in a voicemail or text.
Do not tap a link in a text or email about an order or your account.
Open the Amazon app, or type amazon.com yourself, and look at Your Orders. Only real purchases show up there.
Never move money or buy gift cards because a caller told you to. Never read a code to anyone, and never let a caller take control of your computer.
Before you do anything a caller asked, talk it over with someone you trust.

If you already tapped, paid, called or replied

Gave your card number, or sent money by bank transfer or Zelle: call your bank or card company right away. Use the number on the back of your card. Tell them it was a scam, and ask them to refund your money.
Paid with gift cards: call the company that issued the card. Use the number on the back of the card, and ask for your money back.
Used a payment app like Venmo, a wire service like Western Union, or a Bitcoin ATM: contact that company right away. Ask them for your money back. A Bitcoin ATM is a machine that takes your money and sends it as cryptocurrency, a kind of digital money.
Shared a password or sign-in code (a one-time code for signing in), or let them onto your computer: if they got onto your computer, update your security software (such as antivirus) and run a scan first. Then change your passwords, starting with Amazon. Turn on two-factor sign-in (a second check, like a code sent to your phone). If you can’t sign in anymore, follow the FTC’s steps in How To Get Back Into Your Hacked Account.
Gave your Social Security number: check your credit report free at AnnualCreditReport.com. If someone has used your Social Security number, report it at IdentityTheft.gov. If it hasn't been used, or you aren't sure, go to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach.

How to check for real

Open the Amazon Shopping app or type amazon.com yourself and go to Your Orders, where only real purchases appear. To check a message, open the Message Center under Your Account. Real messages from Amazon show up there.

Where to report it

The FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Amazon, with its self-service report-a-scam tool on amazon.com (if you are not an Amazon customer, email reportascam@amazon.com)
If someone used your information to open accounts, report it at IdentityTheft.gov

Free guides that go with this

Check a message you got, free · Check a link

Where this comes from

Written from these official warnings, checked 2026-09-25. Lantern is not part of any organization named on this page.