If you received an email from Amazon saying there was “unusual activity” on your account, your first reaction is probably panic.
Take a breath.
Some of these emails are legitimate security alerts. Many are phishing scams designed to steal your password.
Here’s how to quickly determine whether it’s real — and what to do next.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Do NOT Click Anything Yet
- Step 2: Check the Sender’s Email Address
- Step 3: Don’t Trust the Link — Go Directly to Amazon
- Step 4: Look for Red Flags in the Email
- Step 5: Check the Content of the Alert
- Step 6: Inspect the Link (Without Clicking)
- Step 7: If You Clicked the Link
- Real vs Fake — Quick Comparison
- Why You’re Getting These Emails
- What You Should Do Either Way
- Important: Watch for the “Follow-Up Call” Scam
- Final Answer: Real or Fake?
Step 1: Do NOT Click Anything Yet
Before clicking any links, opening attachments, or calling any numbers in the email:
Stop.
Phishing emails are designed to look urgent so you act quickly without thinking.
If the message includes reset links or security warnings, compare it with Amazon password reset I didn’t request to identify similar patterns.
Step 2: Check the Sender’s Email Address
This is your first major clue.
Legitimate Amazon emails usually come from addresses like:
- @amazon.com
- @amazon.co.uk
- @amazon.ca
- @amazon.de
Be cautious if you see:
- Extra letters (amaz0n, amazonn, amazon-support-secure, etc.)
- Random domains (gmail, outlook, security-alerts.net, etc.)
- Long strange strings before @amazon.com
However, note:
Sender addresses can sometimes be spoofed. So this alone isn’t enough.
Step 3: Don’t Trust the Link — Go Directly to Amazon
The safest test is this:
Open a new browser window.
Manually type amazon.com (or your local Amazon site).
Log in normally.
Or go directly to the official sign-in page: https://www.amazon.com/ap/signin
If there is real unusual activity, Amazon will:
- Show a notification inside your account
- Ask you to verify your identity
- Lock the account temporarily
If everything looks normal and there are no alerts inside your account, the email is likely fake.
If your account shows issues after logging in, review Amazon account on hold suspicious activity or Amazon says my account is locked.
Step 4: Look for Red Flags in the Email
Phishing emails often include:
🚩 Urgent threats like:
“Your account will be permanently suspended in 24 hours.”
🚩 Grammar mistakes
🚩 Generic greetings like “Dear Customer”
🚩 Requests to:
- Confirm password
- Provide OTP code
- Verify payment details
- Purchase gift cards
Amazon will NEVER:
- Ask for your password by email
- Ask for your OTP code
- Ask you to pay with gift cards
- Threaten immediate arrest or legal action
Step 5: Check the Content of the Alert
Legitimate Amazon unusual activity emails usually mention:
- Login from new device
- Login from different location
- Password change attempt
- Email change request
- Multiple failed login attempts
If you recently:
- Traveled
- Used a new phone
- Logged in on hotel Wi-Fi
- Reset your password
Then a real alert is more likely.
If the alert includes login attempts, see Amazon OTP I didn’t request.
Step 6: Inspect the Link (Without Clicking)
Hover your mouse over the link (don’t click).
Look at the URL preview.
A real Amazon link should clearly show:
https://www.amazon.com/…
If it shows:
- A different domain
- A shortened link (bit.ly, tinyurl)
- A long confusing string before amazon
It’s fake.
Example of fake:
secure-amazon-login.verify-now.com
That is NOT Amazon.
Step 7: If You Clicked the Link
If you already clicked:
If you did NOT enter information:
You’re probably fine.
If you entered:
- Password
- OTP code
- Credit card
- Personal info
Immediately:
1. Change your Amazon password
2. Enable Two-Step Verification
3. Change your email password
4. Contact your bank if payment info was entered
If access was compromised, review Amazon account hacked.
Real vs Fake — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Likely Real | Likely Fake |
|---|---|---|
| Account alert visible after logging in directly | ✔ | ❌ |
| Asks for password via email | ❌ | ✔ |
| Urgent 24-hour threats | ❌ | ✔ |
| Generic greeting | ❌ | ✔ |
| Proper Amazon domain | ✔ | ❓ (can be spoofed) |
| Requests gift cards | ❌ | ✔ |
Why You’re Getting These Emails
There are three common reasons:
1️⃣ Someone tried logging into your account
2️⃣ Your email appeared in a data breach
3️⃣ Scammers are sending mass phishing emails
Even if the email is fake, treat it as a reminder to secure your account.
What You Should Do Either Way
Regardless of whether the email is real or fake:
✔ Change your password if unsure
✔ Enable Two-Step Verification
✔ Check login activity
✔ Review recent orders
✔ Secure your email account
Security layers matter.
If you notice suspicious purchases, review Amazon unauthorized purchases or someone ordered from my Amazon account.
Important: Watch for the “Follow-Up Call” Scam
A common scam works like this:
1. You receive unusual activity email.
2. You receive a phone call from someone claiming to be Amazon.
3. They ask for your OTP code to “verify your identity.”
This is always a scam.
Amazon does not cold-call customers for security verification.
Final Answer: Real or Fake?
The safest rule:
Never trust the email.
Trust only what you see after logging in directly through Amazon’s official website.
You can also review Amazon’s official security help page here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GSD587LKW72HKU2V
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