Amazon customers are being warned about a telephone scam in which fraudsters impersonate company representatives and attempt to gain access to personal and financial information. Image: Stock photograph
Amazon customers across the UK, including those living in Newcastle Great Park and the wider North East, are being urged to remain vigilant following a warning about a convincing telephone scam that has already cost victims tens of thousands of pounds.
Fraudsters are posing as Amazon representatives and contacting unsuspecting shoppers, claiming that suspicious purchases have been made using their accounts.
The calls are designed to sound genuine, with criminals using information about supposed unauthorised orders, unfamiliar delivery addresses and compromised bank cards to convince people that their money is at risk.
According to Report Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting service, criminals stole £86,837 from victims in just nine days during October 2026.
The warning highlights how sophisticated scams are becoming, with fraudsters increasingly relying on direct telephone conversations rather than suspicious emails or text messages.
More Than £86,000 Stolen in Nine Days
Figures released by Report Fraud on 30 October reveal that 110 reports involving criminals impersonating Amazon were received between 5 and 14 October 2026.
During that short period, victims lost a combined £86,837, equivalent to an average of more than £9,600 every day.
Particularly concerning is the impact on older shoppers.
People aged between 50 and 79 accounted for 60% of the reports received, although anyone using online shopping services could potentially become a target.
With Amazon regularly used by households across Newcastle Great Park, Gosforth and the surrounding communities, residents are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the warning signs and share the information with friends and family.
How Does the Amazon Telephone Scam Work?
The scam typically begins with an unexpected telephone call from someone claiming to work for Amazon's customer service or security department.
The caller tells the recipient that unusual activity has been detected on their Amazon account.
They may claim that expensive or unfamiliar products have been added to the customer's shopping basket without permission.
To make the situation appear more convincing, the fraudster might provide a delivery address that the customer does not recognise.
The caller then suggests that someone has gained access to the customer's account and is attempting to purchase goods using their saved bank card details.
Naturally, this can cause alarm, particularly when the caller insists that immediate action is needed to prevent money being taken.
However, the supposed security assistance is actually the next stage of the fraud.
Fraudsters Asking Victims to Share Their Screens
One of the most concerning elements of the scam involves criminals persuading customers to share their mobile phone or computer screens.
Victims may be instructed to open a messaging application and activate its screen-sharing function, supposedly allowing the Amazon representative to investigate the suspicious transaction.
In reality, this can expose sensitive information, including banking details, account information and other personal data.
Some victims are also encouraged to download money-transfer applications or remote-access software.
Remote-access programmes can allow another person to operate a device from elsewhere, giving criminals an opportunity to access accounts and carry out unauthorised transactions.
Other victims have reportedly been asked to provide photographs of passports or driving licences as part of a supposed identity verification process.
Fraudsters may also claim that unauthorised gift card purchases need to be cancelled, before manipulating the customer into approving payments that actually transfer money to criminal-controlled accounts.
Police Urge Shoppers Not to Feel Pressured
Chief Superintendent Amanda Wolf, Head of Report Fraud Operations, has warned that criminals are becoming increasingly effective at making fraudulent approaches appear like everyday customer service interactions.
A telephone call concerning an account problem, suspicious purchase or delivery issue can easily catch someone off guard, particularly when it appears to come from a familiar company.
The advice from Report Fraud is to pause before responding to unexpected requests, regardless of how urgent or convincing the situation sounds.
Fraudsters frequently depend on creating a sense of panic, leaving victims feeling they must act immediately to protect their money.
Anyone receiving such a call should end the conversation and contact the company independently using its official website, app or a telephone number they have verified themselves.
What Has Amazon Said?
Amazon has acknowledged the risks posed by criminals impersonating its employees and has encouraged customers to report suspected fraudulent communications.
The company warns that scammers frequently create false emergencies to pressure customers into making payments or disclosing personal information.
Amazon advises customers to use its official website or mobile application when seeking assistance with orders, payments or account security.
Importantly, genuine Amazon representatives will not ask customers to disclose passwords, one-time verification codes, bank card information or gift card details over the telephone.
Customers who receive unexpected calls about purchases they do not recognise should check their order history directly through their Amazon account rather than relying on information provided by the caller.
How Can You Protect Yourself From This Scam?
There are several straightforward precautions residents can take to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim.
1. Be suspicious of unexpected telephone calls
If someone contacts you claiming to be from Amazon and says your account has been compromised, do not assume the call is genuine.
2. Never allow an unknown caller to access your device
Do not download remote-access applications or activate screen sharing at the request of someone who has contacted you unexpectedly.
3. Do not disclose personal or financial information
Never provide passwords, banking information, identity documents or one-time security codes to an unsolicited caller.
4. Check your Amazon account independently
Open the official Amazon application or enter www.amazon.co.uk directly into your browser to review your purchases and account activity.
5. Be cautious about urgent demands
Scammers often insist that immediate action is required. Genuine concerns can be checked through official customer service channels without following a stranger's instructions.
6. Do not trust a telephone number simply because it looks genuine
Criminals can disguise their telephone numbers to make calls appear to originate from recognised organisations.
7. Speak to friends and family
Sharing information about emerging scams can be especially valuable for older relatives or anyone who may be less familiar with online fraud.
What Should You Do If You Have Already Been Targeted?
Anyone who believes they have been approached by a fraudster should stop communicating with the caller immediately.
If banking details have been disclosed or money has been transferred, contact your bank straight away using its official contact information.
Customers can also call 159 to be connected with participating banks' fraud departments.
If remote-access software has been installed, disconnect the affected device from the internet, seek trusted technical assistance to remove the software and secure your accounts using a different, trusted device.
Passwords should be changed where necessary, and additional security measures, such as two-step verification, should be enabled.
Residents in England can report suspected fraud to Report Fraud by visiting www.reportfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040.
Suspicious mobile telephone calls can also be reported by texting 7726, including the word 'Call' followed by the suspected scammer's number.
Amazon customers can report suspicious communications directly through the company's official customer service channels.
Even if no money has been lost, reporting an attempted scam can help authorities identify patterns of criminal activity and protect other potential victims.
A Reminder for Newcastle Great Park Residents
As online shopping continues to be part of everyday life, criminals are finding increasingly convincing ways to exploit the trust customers place in familiar companies.
With the busy Christmas shopping period approaching, residents may be receiving more parcels, delivery notifications and order updates than usual, potentially making fraudulent account warnings appear more believable.
Although the latest warning relates specifically to Amazon, similar impersonation tactics can be used by criminals pretending to represent banks, delivery companies, retailers and other trusted organisations.
The most important advice is simple: never feel pressured into taking immediate action because of an unexpected telephone call.
Taking a few moments to independently verify a suspicious request could prevent significant financial loss.
Have Your Say
Have you received a suspicious telephone call from someone claiming to represent Amazon?
Have you encountered similar scams involving delivery companies, banks or other online retailers?
Residents are encouraged to share their experiences and advice in the Great Park Residents Group on Facebook.
By raising awareness and looking out for neighbours, friends and family members, the community can help prevent more people from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.
Further Information and Official Advice:
