Amazon Warns 220 Million Prime Customers Amid Surge in Phishing Attacks

Amazon Prime customers are being urged to remain vigilant as a surge in phishing scams targets unsuspecting users with fake emails, texts and calls, in an effort to steal personal and financial information. The online retail giant has warned that scammers are increasingly impersonating Amazon to defraud users by creating fake correspondence related to Prime memberships and order verification.

According to Amazon, over 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 phone numbers were taken down in 2024 alone as part of ongoing crackdowns on impersonation schemes. The company has noted a sharp uptick in scam attempts this year, with more than two-thirds of reported incidents linked to bogus messages about account or order issues.

“Scammers who attempt to impersonate Amazon put consumers at risk,” said Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s vice president of Selling Partner Services. “Although these scams take place outside our store, we will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on how to avoid scams.”

One common tactic includes sending fake emails claiming that a user’s Prime subscription is set to auto-renew at an inflated cost, prompting recipients to click a “cancel subscription” button. That link typically redirects to a fraudulent Amazon login page designed to capture login credentials, payment details, or other sensitive information.

Cybersecurity company Malwarebytes also flagged the growing trend, noting that some phishing emails include accurate personal information sourced from other data breaches to appear authentic. Once credentials are submitted on these fake sites, scammers can access not just Amazon accounts but potentially any other accounts that share the same login details.

In response, Amazon has launched new initiatives to combat the threat, including a secure email feature for popular platforms like Gmail and Yahoo!. Emails from Amazon now appear with the company’s signature smile logo in inboxes to help users verify authenticity.

Amazon has also released several tips to help customers avoid falling prey to scams:

  • Always verify suspicious activity by logging into the Amazon website or app directly.
  • Never provide payment details or personal information via phone or email.
  • Be wary of messages that create a false sense of urgency or ask for gift card purchases.
  • If unsure, contact Amazon customer support directly for verification.

The company continues to encourage customers to report suspicious communications, as phishing attacks not only compromise personal security but can lead to financial loss.


Stay informed with the latest news and updates from SKN Source! Click here to join our WhatsApp channel and get updates straight to your mobile. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more stories and insights!

Be the first to comment on "Amazon Warns 220 Million Prime Customers Amid Surge in Phishing Attacks"

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.