Amazon Scam Phone Calls UK: How to Spot a Fake Amazon Call
An automated call says there's a problem with your Amazon order or account — here's why it's a scam and what to do.
What is the Amazon scam phone call?
An Amazon scam call is a fraudster impersonating Amazon by phone — usually an automated recording — to frighten you into handing over money, card details, or control of your devices. Common scripts claim there's '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 one of the most impersonated brands in the UK precisely because almost everyone has an account, so a cold call about it feels plausible. The call may show a UK number through caller-ID spoofing.
Amazon does not cold-call customers about orders or account security, so an unexpected call claiming to be Amazon is the warning sign in itself.
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's an automated/recorded call, or asks you to 'press 1' — Amazon doesn't operate that way.
- It's about something you didn't expect: an order you never placed, or 'suspicious activity'.
- You're asked to install software, allow remote access, or download an app to 'fix' or 'refund' anything.
- You're asked to pay, repay an over-refund, or buy gift cards to resolve a problem.
- You're asked for your full card number, bank login, PIN, or a one-time passcode.
- High pressure and secrecy — 'don't hang up', 'don't tell your bank', 'act immediately'.
What a genuine Amazon contact looks like — and how to verify
Amazon will not phone you out of the blue asking for remote access, payment, gift cards, or your full card or security details. Genuine account and order information always lives inside your account. If a call worries you, hang up and check independently: open the Amazon app or type amazon.co.uk into your browser yourself, sign in, and look at Your Orders and Your Account — if there's no rogue order and no security alert there, the call was fake. Never call back a number the caller gave you; use the Help pages on Amazon's official site to contact them.
A real company will never need you to install software or move money to '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 Action 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 Something Suspicious' section of their official help pages 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
Does Amazon call you about suspicious orders or account activity?
No. Amazon does not cold-call customers about orders, account security, or refunds, and never asks you to press a key, install software, allow remote access, pay a fee, or read out a security code over the phone. Any unexpected call claiming to be Amazon — especially an automated one — should be treated as a scam. Hang up and check your account yourself via the app or amazon.co.uk.
What is the 'press 1' Amazon call or the iPhone-order call?
It's a common automated scam: a recording claims a costly order (often an iPhone) has been placed on your account, or that there's suspicious activity, and tells you to press 1 or stay on the line to reach an 'agent'. The 'agent' then tries to get remote access to your device or your card and bank details. Amazon doesn't make these calls — there is no real order. Hang up and check Your Orders in the app or on the website.
I let them install software or gave my details — what do I do now?
Act quickly. Uninstall any software they had you install, disconnect the device from the internet and run a security scan. Call your bank on the number on your card to block it and report fraud. Change your Amazon, email, and banking passwords and enable two-step verification. Be wary of a follow-up call claiming to be your bank — that's part of the scam. Report it to Action Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040.
How do I report a fake Amazon call in the UK?
Report it to Action Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040 (Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland), and flag the impersonation to Amazon via the 'Report Something Suspicious' pages on their official site. You can also report nuisance calls to your phone provider. If you received scam texts alongside the calls, forward them free to 7726.