Key Points:
- Amazon warns 300M users of holiday cyberattacks
- Scammers push fake alerts and phishing schemes
- The company urges 2FA and official channels only
Amazon has issued a worldwide security alert to more than 300 million customers, warning them of an alarming rise in impersonation scams and cyberattacks as the holiday shopping season intensifies. The company reported that cybercriminal activity typically spikes during high-traffic retail events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when shoppers are more likely to respond to promotional messages, delivery updates, or account notifications.
According to the advisory, attackers are increasingly attempting to exploit the heightened customer engagement during this period. Amazon noted that this year’s spike in fraudulent activity is “significantly higher” than in previous cycles, prompting the company to issue one of its largest customer-wide Amazon’s warnings to date.
Scammers Target Shoppers Through Fake Alerts and High-Pressure Tactics
The alert outlines several scam tactics currently being used to target Amazon customers. These include fake order confirmations, fabricated delivery-failure messages, and counterfeit discount offers circulating on social media and messaging platforms. Many of these scams closely imitate official Amazon communication formats, making them difficult for unsuspecting users to identify.
A major concern highlighted in the advisory is phishing attempts designed to steal account credentials. Cybercriminals are sending emails and text messages that direct victims to fraudulent login pages, where personal and financial information can be harvested. Attackers are also attempting to lure users into phone-based scams by posing as Amazon support agents, applying high-pressure tactics or fake urgency to convince customers that their accounts are at risk.
Security analysts note that this wave of impersonation attempts aligns with a broader global trend in retail-related cybercrime. With millions of people shopping online simultaneously, scammers take advantage of predictable user behavior, particularly the tendency to respond quickly to order-related alerts during the holiday shopping rush.
Amazon Advises Customers to Use Official Channels and Strengthen Security
To safeguard users during this period, Amazon’s warning has urged customers to rely exclusively on its official website or mobile app for all account-related actions. The company emphasized that it never requests sensitive information such as passwords, payment details, or verification codes through unsolicited emails, phone calls, or external links.
Amazon is advising users to enable two-factor authentication or passkeys to significantly enhance account security. These features create an additional barrier against unauthorized access, even if login credentials are compromised.
The company is also encouraging customers to report suspicious communications, including messages containing unfamiliar links, claims about blocked accounts, unexpected order notifications, or demands for immediate payment. A dedicated reporting system has been made available through Amazon’s help and security sections, allowing the company to investigate and take action against emerging threats.
As global holiday sales accelerate, Amazon’s warning serves as an urgent reminder for consumers to stay vigilant. With cybercriminals rapidly adapting their methods and exploiting seasonal buying patterns, the company stresses that proactive security measures, both from consumers and platforms, are essential to preventing fraud during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
