Scammers know exactly how to exploit online shopping habits.
Amazon is convenient, fast, and packed with deals—but it’s also a playground for scammers. While most people assume they’d never fall for an online scam, fraudsters have become frighteningly good at blending in. They create fake listings, hijack reviews, and send convincing emails that trick even the most tech-savvy shoppers. Gen Z, despite growing up in the digital age, is particularly vulnerable because scammers prey on speed, convenience, and trust in online platforms.
The scams aren’t just about stealing money; they’re about hijacking personal information, selling counterfeit products, and exploiting Amazon’s reputation to manipulate buyers. Whether it’s a too-good-to-be-true discount or a “missed delivery” email, these schemes are catching thousands of people every day. If you think you’re too smart to get scammed, it’s time to take a closer look. Here are the Amazon scams Gen Z falls for more often than they’d like to admit.
1. Fake sellers disappear after taking your money.
Amazon’s third-party marketplace allows nearly anyone to sell products, which means scammers can create fake stores overnight, as reported by Nord Pass. They list popular products at unbeatable prices, collect orders, and then vanish without shipping anything. By the time buyers realize they’ve been scammed, the seller’s account is deleted, leaving them with no product and a frustrating refund process.
These scams are easy to fall for because they mimic legitimate deals. If a price looks too good to be true, check the seller’s history, reviews, and ratings. New accounts with no feedback are major red flags. Buying from established sellers—or directly from Amazon—is the safest way to avoid this headache.
2. Brushing scams send you free products to manipulate reviews.
Ever received a random package from Amazon that you never ordered? That’s likely a brushing scam, according to Clark Howard. Sellers use fake accounts to purchase their own products and ship them to random addresses. Once the delivery is confirmed, they leave glowing reviews, making their listings look more reputable.
While it might seem harmless to get free stuff, brushing scams can indicate that your personal data has been compromised. Scammers often use stolen account details for these fake purchases, which could lead to bigger security risks down the line. If you receive an unexpected package, check your Amazon order history and consider changing your passwords.
3. Counterfeit products look real until they break.
Scammers don’t just sell fake products—they make them look convincing. Knockoff electronics, designer items, and name-brand accessories flood Amazon’s marketplace, often with near-identical packaging. They work just long enough for customers to leave positive reviews before breaking or failing completely.
Even worse, some counterfeits can be dangerous. Fake chargers can overheat and cause fires, while low-quality supplements might contain harmful ingredients, as stated by Tech Sesh. Always check seller reviews, avoid listings with vague product descriptions, and be wary of extreme discounts on high-end brands.
4. Phishing emails pretend to be Amazon customer service.
Fake Amazon emails are one of the most common scams. They claim there’s an issue with your order, payment method, or account security, urging you to click a link and “fix” the problem. The link leads to a convincing but fake Amazon login page, where scammers steal your credentials.
Once they have your password, they can access your account, place fraudulent orders, or even change your shipping address. Amazon will never ask for sensitive information via email, so if you get a suspicious message, go directly to your account through the official site instead of clicking links.
5. Fake job offers trick people into paying for nothing.
Amazon is a well-known employer, which makes it a prime target for job scams. Fraudsters post fake job listings promising easy work-from-home positions with high pay. Once applicants show interest, they’re asked to pay for training materials, background checks, or equipment—none of which actually exist.
Legitimate jobs at Amazon never require upfront payments. If a job offer asks for money before you even start working, it’s a scam. Always verify job postings through Amazon’s official careers page instead of trusting random listings.
6. Fake delivery notifications steal login details.
Scammers know people track their Amazon orders religiously, which is why fake delivery notifications are so effective. These messages—sent via email or text—claim there’s a delivery issue, prompting users to click a link to “reschedule” or “verify” their information. Instead, the link leads to a phishing site designed to steal login credentials.
Amazon notifications always come from official domains, so double-check the sender’s email address. If you’re unsure, go directly to Amazon’s website and check your order status rather than clicking on links in unsolicited messages.
7. Inflated review scams make bad products look good.
A product with thousands of five-star reviews feels like a safe bet—but some of those glowing ratings might be fake. Sellers often pay for positive reviews or send free products in exchange for high ratings, artificially boosting their rankings. Some even merge listings, transferring old positive reviews from unrelated products to make a new listing look legitimate.
Spotting fake reviews takes practice. Look for vague or overly enthusiastic language, repeated phrases, and a suspicious number of reviews posted in a short time. Using third-party review analysis tools can also help weed out fraudulent feedback.
8. Gift card scams convince victims to pay in untraceable currency.
Scammers posing as Amazon representatives, government officials, or tech support agents often pressure victims into paying fees or debts using Amazon gift cards. Once the gift card code is handed over, the money is gone—Amazon can’t refund gift card transactions, making it an easy payday for scammers.
No legitimate company or government agency will ever ask for payment in gift cards. If someone demands this, it’s a scam. When in doubt, hang up and contact the company directly using official contact information.
9. Fake return policies leave buyers stuck with junk.
Some shady third-party sellers create their own return policies that differ from Amazon’s standard guarantees. They might charge high restocking fees, refuse returns altogether, or claim an item must be returned within an unreasonably short window—often shorter than the time it takes to realize the product is junk.
Always check the return policy before purchasing, especially for expensive or high-risk items. If a seller’s policy seems unusually strict, it’s best to skip that listing.
10. “Secret shopper” scams steal personal information.
Amazon doesn’t run a secret shopper program, but that doesn’t stop scammers from pretending they do. Fake job postings or emails claim Amazon is looking for mystery shoppers to review products. To participate, victims must provide personal details, often including Social Security numbers and banking information.
These scams are designed to steal identities, not offer real job opportunities. If you receive a “secret shopper” offer, ignore it—it’s 100% fake.
11. Fake giveaways trick users into clicking malicious links.
Social media is filled with “Amazon giveaways” offering free gift cards, expensive gadgets, or cash prizes. Most of these are scams designed to collect personal data, spread malware, or trick users into handing over login credentials.
Amazon does host legitimate promotions, but they never require you to click suspicious links or enter unnecessary personal details. If a giveaway seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify contests through Amazon’s official website or social media accounts.
Staying safe on Amazon means being skeptical of deals that seem too good, messages that create a false sense of urgency, and sellers that don’t have a track record. The more you know about these scams, the harder it is for fraudsters to catch you off guard.