Amazon is one of the most frequented online retailers, therefore making it one of the most frequently impersonated companies in refund scams. In Amazon refund scams, criminals pretend to be the company via text message then trick you into clicking malicious links.
People across the country are receiving texts claiming there’s a problem with an item they purchased on Amazon. The message offers a refund and includes a link to “claim” your money back. But it’s all a scam designed to steal your personal or financial information.
How it works:
You get a text that looks like it’s from Amazon. It says there is a problem with your ordered item – this could be a claim that it was recently recalled or that it failed a quality inspection, etc. The text promises a refund and even tells you not to return the product. All you have to do is click on a link to “claim” your refund. The catch: that link leads to a phishing site, not Amazon.
How to protect yourself:
- Don’t click on links in unexpected text messages, even if they look official.
- If you’re concerned about an Amazon order, log in directly to your account on their official website or app — never through a link in a text.
- Report suspicious texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) or using your phone’s “report junk” feature. Delete the text after you report it.
Remember to stay alert! Scammers rely on creating a sense of urgency to get you to click without thinking. If something feels off, pause and check directly with Amazon – or any suspicious text claiming to come from a company – before taking action.