$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Amazon order confirmation phishing scam
You receive an email or text confirming a large purchase you never made, with a link to 'cancel' the order that leads to a phishing site designed to steal your Amazon credentials and payment information.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline shoppers
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $12K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports330,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send fake order confirmation emails mimicking Amazon's formatting, typically for expensive electronics or appliances.
2
Panicked recipients click the 'cancel' link, which leads to a convincing fake Amazon page requesting login credentials and payment details.
3
Stolen information is used to take over the victim's real Amazon account, make purchases, or sell the credentials.
What to do first
Do not click any links — log into your Amazon account directly at amazon.com and check 'Your Orders' for the supposed purchase.
Related terms
fake Amazon order emailAmazon purchase you didn't make scamAmazon order alert phishingBrand impersonation scamsAmazonSurgingOnline shoppersAdultsOlder adultsCreators and online sellersRetirees and seniorsOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake Amazon order emailAmazon purchase you didn't make scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Patricia, 34, a online shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate brand impersonation scams situation while using Amazon. Scammers send fake order confirmation emails mimicking Amazon's formatting, typically for expensive electronics or appliances.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Panicked recipients click the 'cancel' link, which leads to a convincing fake Amazon page requesting login credentials and payment details.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen information is used to take over the victim's real Amazon account, make purchases, or sell the credentials.
The outcome
Patricia realized something was wrong when an email confirms a high-value order you never placed, creating panic. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Do not click any links — log into your Amazon account directly at amazon.com and check 'Your Orders' for the supposed purchase. Patricia's experience shows why an email confirms a high-value order you never placed, creating panic and the 'cancel order' or 'report unauthorized purchase' link goes to a non-amazon domain are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- An email confirms a high-value order you never placed, creating panic
- The 'cancel order' or 'report unauthorized purchase' link goes to a non-Amazon domain
- The email asks you to call a phone number or click a link to resolve the issue
- 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
- ✓Do not click any links — log into your Amazon account directly at amazon.com and check 'Your Orders' for the supposed purchase.
- ✓Forward suspicious emails to [email protected] before deleting them.
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account to prevent unauthorized access.
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.
- Amazon identified fake order confirmation messages as one of the top two most reported impersonation scam types in 2023.
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.
- ✓Do not click any links — log into your Amazon account directly at amazon.com and check 'Your Orders' for the supposed purchase.
- ✓Forward suspicious emails to [email protected] before deleting them.
- ✓Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account to prevent unauthorized access.
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.
Amazon identified fake order confirmation messages as one of the top two most reported impersonation scam types in 2023.
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
Online shoppers, Adults, Older adults
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Amazon — Brand impersonation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online shoppers 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
- Amazon identified fake order confirmation messages as one of the top two most reported impersonation scam types in 2023.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about amazon order confirmation phishing scam
How does the amazon order confirmation phishing scam work?+
Scammers send fake order confirmation emails mimicking Amazon's formatting, typically for expensive electronics or appliances. Panicked recipients click the 'cancel' link, which leads to a convincing fake Amazon page requesting login credentials and payment details. Stolen information is used to take over the victim's real Amazon account, make purchases, or sell the credentials.
What are the warning signs of amazon order confirmation phishing scam?+
An email confirms a high-value order you never placed, creating panic The 'cancel order' or 'report unauthorized purchase' link goes to a non-Amazon domain The email asks you to call a phone number or click a link to resolve the issue
What should I do if I encounter amazon order confirmation phishing scam?+
Do not click any links — log into your Amazon account directly at amazon.com and check 'Your Orders' for the supposed purchase. Forward suspicious emails to [email protected] before deleting them. Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account to prevent unauthorized access.
Who is most at risk for amazon order confirmation phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online shoppers, Adults, Older adults. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Amazon.
Is amazon order confirmation phishing scam getting worse?+
Amazon order confirmation phishing scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Smishing
↑ 27%Bank verification text phishing scam
A text message claims a suspicious bank event happened and pushes the victim to a fake login page before they stop to verify the sender.
What to do first
Do not tap the link from the text.
Targets
Mobile banking users
Seen in
Global
Extension fraud
↑ 131%Malicious browser extension data harvest scam
A seemingly useful browser extension captures browsing activity, credentials, or payment behavior after a short period of benign use.
What to do first
Review permissions before installing.
Targets
Remote workers
Seen in
Global
Identity theft
↑ 17%Medical billing identity fraud
Stolen identity details are used for medical claims or treatments, leading to fraudulent bills and corrupted records for the victim.
What to do first
Review insurance explanations of benefits regularly.
Targets
Families
Seen in
U.S.
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.