Amazon Scam Phone Calls UK: How to Spot a Fake Amazon Call

An unexpected call says there is a problem with your Amazon order or account — verify it in your account before doing anything.

By Alex Bacsa · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-07-23 · 5 min read

What is the Amazon scam phone call?

An Amazon scam call is a fraudster impersonating Amazon by phone — usually through an automated recording — to frighten you into handing over money, card details, or control of your devices. Common scripts claim there is 'suspicious activity' on your account, that an expensive order (often an iPhone) has been placed and you must 'press 1' to cancel, or that your Prime membership is auto-renewing. Amazon is widely impersonated because many people have an account, so an unexpected call can feel plausible. The call may show a UK number through caller-ID spoofing.

Treat any unexpected call as unverified: hang up and check Your Orders and the Message Centre in the Amazon app or on amazon.co.uk before taking action.

How the Amazon call scam works, step by step

• An automated call claims there's a problem — a suspicious order, an account on hold, or a Prime charge — and tells you to press a key or stay on the line to reach an 'agent'.
• The 'agent' builds urgency: your account is compromised, money is at risk, you must act now.
• They ask you to install remote-access software (such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer) so they can 'secure your account' or 'process a refund' — this hands them control of your device.
• They 'refund' you but claim to have sent too much, then pressure you to repay the difference by bank transfer or gift cards (the overpayment trick).
• Alternatively they ask directly for your card number, bank login, or a one-time security code.
• Once they have access, money, or details, they drain accounts or make purchases.

Warning signs of a fake Amazon call

• It is an unexpected automated or recorded call that asks you to press a key to deal with an order or account problem.
• It is about something you did not expect: an order you never placed, or unexplained 'suspicious activity'.
• You are asked to install software, allow remote access, or download an app to 'fix' or 'refund' anything.
• You are asked to pay, repay an over-refund, or buy gift cards to resolve a problem.
• You are asked for a bank login, PIN, password, or one-time passcode. Amazon says it will not ask for an OTP or confidential account information over the phone.
• The caller uses pressure and secrecy — 'do not hang up', 'do not tell your bank', 'act immediately'.

What a genuine Amazon contact looks like — and how to verify

Amazon's published guidance says it will not ask for an OTP or confidential account information over the phone. A caller asking for remote access, gift cards, a bank transfer, or a security code is therefore not following a legitimate support process. If a call worries you, hang up and check independently: open the Amazon app or type amazon.co.uk into your browser, then review Your Orders and the Message Centre. Do not call back a number supplied by the caller; contact Amazon through the Help pages reached from your account.

Never install remote-access software or move money because an unexpected caller says it will 'protect' your account.

What to do if you've been called — or already acted

• If you only listened, just hang up and block the number. No harm done.
• If you installed any software or app they asked for, disconnect from the internet, uninstall it, and run a security scan; if it's a phone, consider a factory reset after backing up.
• If you shared card or bank details, or paid anything, contact your bank immediately on the number on your card — block the card and report fraud.
• Change the passwords for your Amazon account, email, and online banking, and turn on two-step verification.
• Watch for follow-up calls pretending to be your bank's fraud team — that's often the next stage. Hang up and call your bank back on the official number.

How to report an Amazon scam call in the UK

Report scam calls to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040 (in Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101), especially if you lost money or shared details. Report the impersonation to Amazon through the 'Report a scam' section of their official help pages, or by sending the details to reportascam@amazon.com, so they can warn other customers. You can report nuisance and scam calls to your phone provider, and forward scam text messages to 7726. Reporting helps investigators track the campaigns behind these calls and protects the next person who picks up.

Frequently asked questions

Sources checked

• Amazon UK — Identifying and reporting suspicious phone calls

Reporting routes in this guide are checked against our verified canon of official UK sources — Report Fraud, the National Cyber Security Centre, and Citizens Advice — by an automated accuracy gate before publication. Editorially updated by Alex Bacsa, Founder & Editor, on 2026-07-23. Read about how Beat the Scam writes guides.