Jul 24, 2026
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Add us on GoogleAs Amazon impersonation scams become more sophisticated, even cautious consumers are being caught off guard. Dorian Jones was one of them.
The 70-year-old retired charity volunteer believed he was taking the right precautions when someone claiming to work for Amazon called about suspicious purchases on his account. Skeptical at first, he questioned the caller. But after a second person phoned to “verify” the employee’s identity, he believed the call was legitimate.
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“It was so authentic. He got the better of me,”Jones told the BBC, adding that the scam had him “hook, line and sinker.”
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Believing he was dealing with legitimate Amazon staff, Jones followed their instructions, allowing the scammers to steal 1,800 pounds (over $2,400 USD) from two of his bank accounts through 12 separate transactions.
The tactics scammers use
Jones said the callers appeared to know extensive details about his life, including his family. They also repeatedly urged him to hang up and reconnect, claiming scammers were “listening in” on the call.
At one point, the caller warned that Jones’ IP address had been compromised and his phone was no longer secure, convincing him he was speaking with someone trying to protect him.
“My wife was shouting in the background, ‘Dorian this isn’t right’.”He caught me off guard,” Jones told the BBC.
His experience reflects a broader trend. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 96,000 consumers reported being targeted by Amazon impersonators over a one-year period, with almost 6,000 saying they lost money.
Those victims reported more than $27 million in losses, with the typical victim losing about $1,000. Adults 60 and older were especially vulnerable, with older consumers more than four times as likely as younger people to report losing money. Their median reported loss was $1,500, compared with $814 for victims under 60.
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How to protect yourself
Amazon is a familiar name in millions of households, making it a frequent target for impersonation scams.
“We have been in contact with Mr. Jones to help further secure his account,” an Amazon spokesperson told Moneywise.
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The spokesperson warned that scammers may contact consumers by email, phone or text and demand payment for supposed items or services. They may also create a false sense of urgency to pressure victims into acting before they have time to question the request.
“We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep them safe,” the spokesperson said.
To reduce your risk:
- If you get a suspicious call, hang up and contact the company directly through its official website or app.
- Never download unfamiliar software or grant someone remote access to your computer or phone.
- Avoid clicking unexpected links in emails or text messages, and do not scan unsolicited QR codes.
- Be suspicious of unexpected requests for money or personal information, especially when someone pressures you to act immediately.
Older adults can be especially vulnerable to impersonation scams. Social isolation can make it harder to recognize a scam or quickly check a suspicious request with someone they trust, according to Psychology Today.
Consider discussing common scam tactics with older loved ones, particularly those who live alone. Encourage them to contact a trusted friend or family member before responding to unexpected requests for money, passwords or other personal information.
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately to secure your accounts and change the passwords for any affected accounts. You can also report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission through ReportFraud.ftc.gov or, if it happened online, to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
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Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based staff reporter at Moneywise covering personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto and New York University, and her work has appeared on platforms including Yahoo Finance, MSN Money and Apple News.
