Amazon issues warning to millions of shoppers over new Prime scam emails

Millions of Brits are being targeted by sophisticated email scams posing as messages from Amazon, with criminals attempting to steal login credentials and banking details using bogus Prime renewal warnings. The US online giant has sounded the alarm, warning customers not to click on any links in suspicious messages - even if they appear to contain personal details or claim to come from Amazon.

“We've recently noticed an increase in customers reporting fake emails about Amazon Prime membership subscriptions,” the retailer said. “We want to help you stay protected by sharing important information about these scams.”

The fake emails typically claim that a customer’s Amazon Prime subscription is about to auto-renew at a higher rate - a tactic designed to spark panic and trick people into clicking a "cancel subscription" button. This button, however, links to a counterfeit Amazon login page where criminals can harvest email addresses, passwords and even payment information.

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In some cases, scammers are including personal information in the messages to make them appear more convincing - details likely harvested from previous data breaches or online leaks. Amazon is urging customers to avoid clicking any links or buttons in the emails and instead check their subscription status directly via the official Amazon mobile app or website.

“If you want to verify your Prime membership, open your Amazon mobile app or go directly to Amazon.co.uk,” the company advised. “Select ‘Prime’ from the main menu to view your membership status, renewal dates, and plan details.”

Those who believe they may have clicked on a fake link are being advised to closely monitor their bank statements and alert their bank immediately if any suspicious activity is detected. Amazon also recommends customers activate two-step verification for added security and use the platform’s Message Centre - found under “Your Account” - to confirm whether a message is genuinely from the company.

Consumers can report suspicious emails to Amazon directly here. The alert is the latest in a wave of scam warnings affecting major online services, as fraudsters become increasingly brazen in their attempts to dupe people out of their money and data.