If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you’re probably used to the annual charge for your membership. But now fraudsters are exploiting this familiarity with a new scam designed to trick you into handing over personal and financial information.
What’s the scam?
Subscribers have reported receiving convincing emails claiming their Amazon Prime subscription is about to increase in price. The email warns that action is needed to avoid being charged a higher fee. It includes a button to “cancel” your subscription.
But here’s the catch:
Clicking that button doesn’t cancel anything. Instead, it takes you to a fake Amazon login page where fraudsters attempt to steal your:
- Amazon account login details
- Payment information
- Personal identity data
This is known as a phishing scam, and sadly, it’s becoming increasingly common.
What makes it so believable?
These emails are designed to look just like official messages from Amazon.
They use the same branding, layout and language. With the cost-of-living crisis putting pressure on household budgets, a warning about price hikes might prompt even cautious users to act quickly without double-checking.
How to protect yourself
Here are a few simple tips to keep yourself safe:
- Never click on links in unexpected emails, even if they appear to be from companies you trust.
- Go directly to the official website by typing the address into your browser (e.g., amazon.co.uk).
- Check the sender’s email address – often it’s slightly off (e.g. support@amazon-update.co.uk instead of @amazon.co.uk).
- Be cautious of urgency – scammers want you to act fast without thinking.
- Use two-factor authentication where available to protect your online accounts.
What to do if you think you've been scammed
If you’ve clicked a suspicious link or entered your details:
- Check your bank/credit card account. If you see a suspicious transaction contact your bank/provider immediately.
- Change your Amazon (and any reused) passwords.
- Report the message to Amazon
Don’t get caught out
At Citrus Financial, we often speak with clients who’ve been targeted by fraudsters. These scams are getting more sophisticated. Making sure you keep your security up-to-date and a few moments of caution can make all the difference.
