Amazon recall scams are on the rise. Here’s how to stay safe.

If you recently ordered something from Amazon and suddenly received a text or email warning that your product has been “recalled” or poses a “serious safety risk,” you may have more than the product to worry about.

Cybercriminals are exploiting consumer trust in Amazon with a growing wave of fake recall and refund scams.

Key takeaways

• Scammers are impersonating Amazon recall notices to steal personal and financial information.
• Amazon says it does not send recall alerts via text message.
• Fake messages often seek to pressure victims with urgent language like “Immediate action required” or “Stop using this item immediately.”
• Cybercriminals frequently use shortened phishing links to hide malicious websites.
• Legitimate Amazon recall notices can be verified through the Your Recalls and Product Safety Alerts page and the Message Center inside your Amazon account.
• Tools like Bitdefender Scamio and Bitdefender Link Checker can help analyze suspicious messages and URLs before you interact with them.

How Amazon recall scams work

The scam usually starts with an email or SMS message claiming that an item you recently purchased has been recalled due to a safety issue, contamination risk, electrical defect, or injury hazard.

The message often includes:

• A fake refund offer
• A warning that you must “respond immediately”
• A link to “verify your account”
• A request to confirm shipping or banking information
• A customer support phone number operated by scammers

Some phishing pages even mimic Amazon’s branding and login screens to look legitimate.

Interacting with these fraudulent messages, whether by entering your credentials or payment card data, may enable scammers to hijack your Amazon account, steal credit card information, or commit identity theft crimes.

Example of an Amazon Recall Scam Text

Bitdefender Labs recently observed scam messages mimicking Amazon recall notifications. One example reads:

“Amazon Recall Notice: You ordered this item in January 2026. We are recalling product 111-7816197-9631022 for safety reasons. Stop using it and visit [PHISHING LINK] to request a full refund. We apologize for any inconvenience. - Amazon Security Team”

At first glance, the message may look convincing because it references a recent order and includes a refund offer signed by the “Amazon Security Team”

But the goal is to lure you to a phishing page designed to steal credentials or payment details.

You may also want to read:

• How to spot and protect against the most common Amazon-related scams
• Bitdefender Labs warns of Pinterest ad scams impersonating Amazon clearance sales

How to spot an Amazon recall scam

• The message mentions refunds or order problems and often includes a product number and safety reasons
• The link looks suspicious, with phishing URLs often hidden behind shortened links such as t.co, shorturl.at or is.gd
• The texts may come from a random phone number
• The messages push you into acting quickly, with phrases like: “Stop using this product now” , “Claim your refund immediately,” or “Urgent recall action required” designed to send you into a panic

Amazon specifically warns users to:

• Be cautious of messages creating false urgency
• Avoid clicking suspicious links
• Never share sensitive information outside Amazon’s official website or app
• Verify recalls directly through Amazon channels

Amazon also notes that:

“We do not send text messages about recalls.”

That detail alone can help consumers identify many scams immediately.

How to verify a real Amazon recall notice

If you receive a suspicious recall notice, don’t panic and don’t click the link right away. You should:

1. Log in to your Amazon account directly. Do this in the Amazon app or type the website manually into the browser.
2. Next, check “Your Recalls and Product Safety Alerts.” The company provides an official section dedicated to recalls and safety notices associated with all of your purchases.
3. Review messages in the Amazon Message Center. You should find all legitimate emails sent by Amazon inside your account’s Message Center.
4. Contact Amazon Support Directly. If you’re still unsure, contact Amazon through official support channels rather than replying to the message.

More tips on how to stay safe and avoid getting scammed

Use free scam detection tools from Bitdefender to verify unexpected Amazon recall messages

 Tools like Bitdefender Scamio can help analyze suspicious texts, while Bitdefender Link Checker can inspect URLs before you open them.

Don’t forget to secure your account

Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. You can also create stronger passwords using the Bitdefender Password Generator.

Protect your phone. It’s just as important as protecting your computer. Many phishing campaigns and scam waves now target users primarily through SMS messages, messaging apps, and mobile notifications because attackers know people are more likely to react quickly on a phone.

Installing a trusted mobile security solution for Android and iOS can help detect malicious links, block phishing attempts, and warn you about emerging scam campaigns in your region before they spread widely. Features like Scam Radar provide you with real-time scam wave alerts and help you identify suspicious texts, links, and fraudulent messages before they cause damage.

FAQs

Does Amazon contact you if there is a recall?

Yes. Amazon may notify customers about legitimate recalls associated with products they purchased. However, Amazon says it does not send recall notifications through text messages. Legitimate notices can be verified through the Amazon Message Center and the “Your Recalls and Product Safety Alerts” page inside your account.

What are the latest Amazon scams?

Recent Amazon scams include:

• Fake recall and refund notices
• Prime membership renewal scams
• Fake delivery problem texts
• Account suspension phishing emails
• Impersonation phone calls from fake Amazon support
• Brushing scams involving unordered packages

Many of these scams aim to steal login credentials, payment details, or verification codes.

How do I know if an Amazon message is real?

A legitimate Amazon message can usually be verified in the Amazon Message Center after you log in to your account. Watch out for messages that use urgent language, contain suspicious links, request sensitive information, or include SMS recall alerts.