That Text About an Amazon Recall Is Probably a Scam. Here’s What to Do.

You get a text message. It claims to be from Amazon, urgently warning you about a dangerous recall on an item you recently purchased. It might ask you to click a link to confirm your details for a refund or to avoid a hazard. Your heart skips a beat—should you act quickly?

Stop. This is almost certainly a scam. Security experts and news outlets, including recent reports highlighted by the Detroit Free Press, are warning about a sharp rise in fraudsters impersonating Amazon with fake recall alerts sent via text message. The goal is to exploit your concern for safety to steal your personal information, payment details, or account credentials.

How the Scam Works

Scammers send out waves of unsolicited text messages (smishing) that appear to come from Amazon. They leverage the trust and authority of the brand and the serious nature of a product recall to create a sense of urgency and fear.

The message will often:

  • Claim a product you bought is recalled due to a safety risk (e.g., fire hazard, choking risk).
  • Urge you to click a link to “learn more,” “confirm your shipment,” or “request a refund.”
  • Warn that failure to act could result in harm or loss of money.

The provided link leads to a convincing but fraudulent website designed to look like an Amazon login or customer service page. Once you enter your username, password, or credit card information, the scammers capture it. In other cases, the link might install malware on your device.

Key Red Flags in a Fake Recall Text

Legitimate companies like Amazon have specific, secure ways of communicating recalls. Here’s what should make you immediately suspicious:

  1. The Unsolicited Text: Amazon does not send recall notifications via unsolicited text messages as a primary method. Official recalls are communicated through announcements on your Amazon account’s “Your Messages” section, via email from an official @amazon.com address, and posted on their official recall information page and government databases.
  2. Generic Greetings: The message will often use vague greetings like “Dear Amazon Customer” or “Valued member” instead of your actual name. Amazon’s official communications typically address you by the name on your account.
  3. Urgent, Fear-Based Language: Phrases like “URGENT SAFETY RECALL,” “ACTION REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY,” or “Your account will be suspended” are designed to panic you into acting without thinking.
  4. Suspicious Links: Hover over (but don’t click) any link. The URL will not lead to a legitimate amazon.com or amazon.com/something address. Watch for misspellings (e.g., amaz0n-security.com), unusual domains, or lengthy strings of characters.
  5. Requests for Sensitive Information: A real recall process will not ask for your password, social security number, or remote access to your device via text message.

What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Text

Do not click any links, call any numbers provided in the message, or reply.

  1. Verify Directly: Log in to your Amazon account separately—by typing amazon.com directly into your browser or using the official app. Check the “Your Messages” section in your account for any official communications. You can also visit Amazon’s dedicated recall information page.
  2. Check Official Recall Databases: For any product, you can verify recalls through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at www.cpsc.gov/Recalls.
  3. Report the Scam:
    • To Amazon: Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and report it directly to Amazon via their dedicated page for reporting suspicious communications.
    • To the FTC: File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • To Your Carrier: Most providers allow you to forward spam texts to 7726.

If You Clicked the Link: Take immediate action. If you entered your Amazon password, change it immediately and enable two-factor authentication on your account. If you entered payment information, contact your bank or credit card company to report potential fraud and monitor your statements closely.

How to Protect Yourself Moving Forward

  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds a critical second layer of security to your Amazon (and all important) accounts, making it much harder for scammers to gain access even if they get your password.
  • Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages: Treat any unexpected text, email, or call claiming to be from a trusted company with caution. Initiate contact yourself through official channels.
  • Bookmark Official Sites: Instead of clicking links in messages, save the official websites for your banks, Amazon, and other services in your browser favorites.

Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, using trusted brands and alarming scenarios to trick even vigilant people. By understanding how these fake recall texts work and knowing the steps to verify and report them, you can confidently protect your personal information and shop more safely.

Sources & Further Reading:

  • Reports on scammers impersonating Amazon with fake recall texts, as covered by the Detroit Free Press.
  • Consumer alerts from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on text message scams.
  • Amazon’s official help pages on identifying scams and reporting suspicious activity.
  • Recall announcements from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).