Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Amazon Recall Scam Text - How to Protect Yourself
Amazon Recall Scam Text - How to Protect Yourself

The Amazon recall scam text is a phishing attempt claiming a recent purchase has been recalled, urging victims to click a link for a refund to steal login credentials or financial information. These messages are fake, often featuring fake order numbers and spoofed, legitimate-looking links. Never click the link; instead, verify recalls directly through the Amazon app or website.

Sample Scam

Amazon Recall Text Scam

How the Scam Works

  • The Message: You receive a text claiming a product you recently purchased is being recalled for "safety and quality issues".
  • The Hook: It creates a sense of urgency, urging you to "stop using the product immediately" and click a link to arrange a "full refund".
  • The Trap: The link leads to a fake Amazon website that looks identical to the real one. If you "log in," scammers capture your username, password, and sometimes your two-factor authentication (2FA) codes to take over your account.

Red Flags

  • Vague Details: The text usually doesn't name the specific product and may use generic greetings like "Dear Amazon Customer".
  • Suspicious Links: The URL often uses shortened links (like bit.ly) or misspellings of Amazon.
  • Unusual Numbers: Messages often come from standard 10-digit mobile numbers or international codes (e.g., +91 for India) rather than Amazon's official short codes.

Safely Verify a Recall

Amazon does not send product recall notifications via text message. To check for legitimate alerts:

  1. Use the App/Website: Log in directly to your account at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
  2. Check Message Center: Go to Your Account > Message Center to see all authentic communications from Amazon.
  3. View Recalls Section: Search for "Recalls and safety product alerts" in the Amazon search bar or check Amazon's official recall page.

If Targeted

  • Do not click any links and do not reply to the message.
  • Report the text by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) on your mobile device.
  • Report to Amazon: Send details of the scam to reportascam@amazon.com or use the Amazon Report a Scam tool.
  • If you clicked/logged in: Immediately change your Amazon password and enable Two-Step Verification.
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