Amazon warns 300 million users: Black Friday scams are getting smarter—Here’s how to stay safe

As Black Friday 2025 approaches, online shoppers are being reminded to stay vigilant. Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer with over 310 million active users, has issued a warning about cybercriminals targeting customers with impersonation scams. The alert comes just in time for one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.

Amazon’s warning, sent via email on November 24, highlighted the risks of scammers attempting to gain “access to sensitive information like personal or financial information, or Amazon account details.” These scams are evolving with the times, often leveraging AI-generated messages, fake order confirmations, and sophisticated phishing attempts.

Common Scam Tactics to Watch For

According to Amazon, users should be cautious of:

• Fake delivery notifications or account issue alerts that appear to come from Amazon.

• Messages through unofficial channels, including email, text, or social media, requesting account or payment information.

• Unfamiliar links that redirect to fraudulent websites posing as Amazon.

• Third-party advertisements promoting deals that seem too good to be true.

  
  
  

• Unsolicited tech support calls, claiming to be from Amazon customer service.

Cybersecurity experts confirm that these scams spike around major shopping events. FortiGuard Labs reported that over 18,000 holiday-themed domains were registered in the past three months, with 750 confirmed as malicious. More than 19,000 domains imitating major retail brands, including Amazon, were detected, 2,900 of which were confirmed as fraudulent.

How to Stay Safe

Amazon offered practical tips for customers to protect themselves:

• Stick to official channels: Use only the Amazon mobile app or official website for account management, tracking orders, or refunds.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security helps prevent unauthorized access.

  
  
  

• Use a passkey: Safer than traditional passwords, passkeys use biometric data or a device PIN to log in.

• Never share sensitive info via email or phone: Amazon will never request payment information or credentials through unofficial channels.

Anne Cutler, a cybersecurity evangelist at Keeper Security, warned, “This year we’re guaranteed to see more sophisticated scams fueled by artificial intelligence, including fake order confirmations, spoofed retailer sites, and AI-generated customer service messages.”

Why This Matters

Black Friday is one of the highest-risk times for online fraud. Seon, a cybersecurity firm, found that fraudulent transactions on Black Friday are about five times higher than in October, and roughly four times higher on Cyber Monday. In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over $16 billion in losses, a 33% increase from the previous year.

Amazon’s timely warning aims to educate users about these threats, ensuring they can shop safely during the holiday season. While scams are increasingly sophisticated, following Amazon’s guidance significantly reduces the risk of falling victim.

FAQ

Q: What kind of scams is Amazon warning about?
A: Scammers are targeting users with fake delivery notices, phishing emails, unofficial messages, third-party ads, and tech support calls.

Q: How can I protect myself from Amazon impersonation scams?
A: Use only the Amazon app or website, enable two-factor authentication, use a passkey, and never share sensitive info via email or phone.

Q: When did Amazon issue this warning?
A: Amazon sent the warning to users on November 24, 2025.

Q: Why are these scams more common during Black Friday?
A: High shopping volumes and time-sensitive deals make consumers more likely to click on fraudulent links or messages.

Q: Are AI-generated scams a real threat?
A: Yes, scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake order confirmations, websites, and messages to steal login or payment information.