$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Amazon fake return refund scam
Scammers contact Amazon sellers or buyers claiming a return was never received or a refund is owed, manipulating the process to keep both the product and the money.
“online shopping scam”
↑ 184%Key indicators
Usually targetsAmazon sellers
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$80
median reported loss
Typical range$16 – $800
Recovery rate~40%
Annual reports370,000
Scam breakdown
1
The scammer orders a product, receives it, then files a return claim saying the item was defective, wrong, or never arrived.
2
They return an empty box, a cheaper substitute, or nothing at all, while Amazon's automated system processes the refund.
3
Sellers bear the loss — the scammer keeps the original product and receives the refund money.
What to do first
Sellers should photograph and weigh all outgoing shipments and use tracking with signature confirmation.
Related terms
Amazon refund abusereturn fraud Amazonempty box return scamOnline shopping scamsAmazonSurgingAmazon sellersSmall business ownersOnline shoppersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomGermanyAmazon refund abusereturn fraud Amazon
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Daniel, 35, a amazon sellers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate online shopping scams situation while using Amazon. The scammer orders a product, receives it, then files a return claim saying the item was defective, wrong, or never arrived.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They return an empty box, a cheaper substitute, or nothing at all, while Amazon's automated system processes the refund.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Sellers bear the loss — the scammer keeps the original product and receives the refund money.
The outcome
Daniel realized something was wrong when a buyer claims the item arrived damaged or empty despite tracking showing delivery. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Sellers should photograph and weigh all outgoing shipments and use tracking with signature confirmation. Daniel's experience shows why a buyer claims the item arrived damaged or empty despite tracking showing delivery and the buyer insists on a refund before returning the item are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- A buyer claims the item arrived damaged or empty despite tracking showing delivery
- The buyer insists on a refund before returning the item
- Multiple return requests from the same buyer across different orders
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Sellers should photograph and weigh all outgoing shipments and use tracking with signature confirmation.
- ✓Buyers who receive a refund scam attempt should report it to Amazon and not engage with off-platform refund requests.
- ✓Report serial return fraud to Amazon's seller support and document all evidence for A-to-Z claim disputes.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The National Retail Federation estimated that return fraud cost U.S. retailers over 100 billion USD in 2023 across all platforms.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Sellers should photograph and weigh all outgoing shipments and use tracking with signature confirmation.
- ✓Buyers who receive a refund scam attempt should report it to Amazon and not engage with off-platform refund requests.
- ✓Report serial return fraud to Amazon's seller support and document all evidence for A-to-Z claim disputes.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The National Retail Federation estimated that return fraud cost U.S. retailers over 100 billion USD in 2023 across all platforms.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Amazon sellers, Small business owners, Online shoppers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Germany
Primary channel
Amazon — Online shopping scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Amazon sellers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The National Retail Federation estimated that return fraud cost U.S. retailers over 100 billion USD in 2023 across all platforms.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about amazon fake return refund scam
How does the amazon fake return refund scam work?+
The scammer orders a product, receives it, then files a return claim saying the item was defective, wrong, or never arrived. They return an empty box, a cheaper substitute, or nothing at all, while Amazon's automated system processes the refund. Sellers bear the loss — the scammer keeps the original product and receives the refund money.
What are the warning signs of amazon fake return refund scam?+
A buyer claims the item arrived damaged or empty despite tracking showing delivery The buyer insists on a refund before returning the item Multiple return requests from the same buyer across different orders
What should I do if I encounter amazon fake return refund scam?+
Sellers should photograph and weigh all outgoing shipments and use tracking with signature confirmation. Buyers who receive a refund scam attempt should report it to Amazon and not engage with off-platform refund requests. Report serial return fraud to Amazon's seller support and document all evidence for A-to-Z claim disputes.
Who is most at risk for amazon fake return refund scam?+
This scam primarily targets Amazon sellers, Small business owners, Online shoppers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Germany and typically appears on Amazon.
Is amazon fake return refund scam getting worse?+
Amazon fake return refund scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, DE. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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