Amazon delivery scam text UK: how to spot and avoid fake SMS alerts
Fake Amazon delivery texts are one of the most common SMS scams in the UK—but knowing what to look for will help you stay safe.
What is this scam?
An Amazon delivery scam text is a fraudulent SMS message pretending to be from Amazon. The scammer claims your delivery has failed, been held, or requires urgent action—such as confirming your address, updating payment details, or verifying your identity. The message includes a link (often shortened or disguised) that leads to a fake Amazon login page or a site designed to steal your personal information. Once you click the link and enter your details, scammers gain access to your Amazon account, email address, and payment methods. They may also use your information to take out fraudulent orders, change your account password, or sell your data. The sense of urgency in these messages—'Your delivery is delayed' or 'Confirm your details now'—is deliberately designed to make you act without thinking. This is one of the most widespread SMS scams targeting UK consumers, because Amazon is a trusted household name that most people use regularly.
Warning signs to look for
['- The message asks you to click a link to confirm delivery, update payment details, or verify your account—Amazon rarely asks for this via text.', "- The sender's number looks unusual: it's either a regular mobile number, a short code you don't recognise, or the word 'Amazon' appears in quotation marks or with a space.", "- The link is shortened (using bit.ly, tinyurl, or similar) or doesn't match Amazon's official domain (amazon.co.uk).", "- The message uses poor spelling, odd grammar, or awkward phrasing—'Your parcel is hold' instead of 'held'.", "- It creates artificial urgency: 'Act now', 'Confirm within 24 hours', or 'Your account will be suspended'.", "- The message mentions a fee, charge, or asking you to pay to release your parcel—Amazon won't do this via SMS.", "- You weren't expecting a delivery, or the parcel details don't match any order you made.", "- The message arrives from a number that's clearly not Amazon's official sender ID."]
How this scam works step by step
The scammer sends thousands of SMS messages to random UK phone numbers, all pretending to be from Amazon. The message claims your delivery failed or needs urgent action—this hook works because most people order from Amazon. You receive the text and, without thinking too hard, click the link provided. The link takes you to a fake Amazon website that looks almost identical to the real one. You're prompted to log in with your email and password. Some fake sites also ask for additional details like your full name, address, phone number, and payment card information. Once you've entered your details, the scammer has everything they need. They log into your real Amazon account using your stolen credentials and change the password, locking you out. They make purchases using your saved payment methods, or sell your data to other criminals. Some variants of this scam also try to get you to install malware by clicking a suspicious file or app, which gives hackers access to all your phone data. By the time you realise something's wrong, the scammer has already caused significant damage.
How to verify if it is genuine
First, never click any link in an unsolicited SMS claiming to be from Amazon. Instead, open Amazon's app or website directly on your phone or computer and log into your account. Go to 'Your Orders' and check whether there's actually a delivery problem. Genuine Amazon messages come from a number that clearly identifies as Amazon (often a recognisable short code like 8001 in some cases, or an Amazon-branded notification), not a random mobile number. Check Amazon's official website for their real SMS sender details—you can find this in your account settings under 'Preferences' or 'Notifications'. Real Amazon alerts always take you directly to your account in the Amazon app, not to a generic login page. If the text mentions paying a fee to release a parcel, it's definitely a scam—Amazon won't charge you via SMS for a delivery. Call Amazon's customer service directly on a number from their official website (not from the text message) to verify whether there's an issue with your delivery. See our guide on /guides/is-this-website-a-scam/ for more tips on spotting fake websites.
What to do if you have already interacted
Act quickly: if you clicked the link and entered your Amazon login details, change your password immediately using a computer or the official Amazon app. Then check your Amazon account for suspicious orders, updated payment methods, or changes to your address. Contact Amazon's customer service on 0844 800 3422 (official UK number from Amazon.co.uk) to report the breach and ask them to review recent account activity. Check your email inbox for password reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't initiate—if you see any, click 'unauthorised activity' to secure your account. If you entered your payment card details on the fake site, contact your bank or card provider immediately and request to cancel that card and issue a replacement. Report the scam text to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) or online at actionfraud.police.uk. Forward the scam message to 7726 (free, and your network will investigate). Monitor your bank and credit card statements weekly for the next 3 months for unauthorised transactions. Consider registering with the National Fraud Database via Citizens Advice to add a note to your credit file.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report the scam text to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting service, either by calling 0300 123 2040 or online at actionfraud.police.uk—they track patterns and help police investigate organised scam rings. Forward the original scam SMS to 7726 (free and anonymous) for your mobile network to investigate and block. Report the phishing link to the National Cyber Security Centre by emailing report@phishing.gov.uk—they work to remove fake websites quickly. If you've lost money or had accounts compromised, also call Citizens Advice's consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for free guidance on your rights and recovery options. Block the sender's number on your phone and report it to your network provider directly. If the scam involved a fake website, report it to the Internet Watch Foundation at iwf.org.uk. Keep records of all communications—the original SMS, screenshots of the fake website (if you visited it), and any correspondence with your bank or Amazon—as evidence for authorities.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amazon a legitimate company, or should I never click Amazon messages?
Amazon is a legitimate company, but you should never click links in unsolicited SMS messages claiming to be from Amazon. Real Amazon notifications come through the Amazon app, your email, or your account settings—not random texts asking you to click. If you receive an SMS about a delivery, ignore the link and check your order directly by logging into Amazon yourself.
What should I do if I've already sent money or card details to the scammers?
Contact your bank or card provider immediately and report the fraudulent transaction. If you sent money via bank transfer, ask your bank to contact the receiving bank to try to recover the funds. Report the scam to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) and forward the SMS to 7726. Change your Amazon password and check your account for unauthorised orders or payment method changes.
Can I get my money back if I clicked the link and the scammers used my card details?
This depends on when you report it and your bank's fraud policies. If you report it within 2-3 days, your bank can often reverse unauthorised transactions under chargeback rules. However, if significant time passes or the transaction is marked as 'authorised', recovery becomes harder. Report to your bank immediately and provide evidence of the scam (the SMS, screenshots of the fake website). Action Fraud can also help you understand your options.
How do I report an Amazon delivery scam text in the UK?
Forward the SMS to 7726 (free and anonymous) for your mobile network to investigate. Report the scam to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting actionfraud.police.uk. If you visited the fake website, report it to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk. Report the sender's number to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 if you've lost money.