- What Is an Amazon OTP Delivery Scam?
- How To Beat Amazon OTP Delivery Scams
- Red Flags of Amazon OTP Delivery Scams
- Amazon OTP Delivery Examples
- What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
- Frequently Asked Questions
With millions of packages being delivered every day, scammers have many opportunities to take advantage of Amazon’s system. Scammers who have gained access to your Amazon account can order expensive items and deliver them to a different address. An Amazon OTP delivery gives you a chance to beat these thieves.
What Is an Amazon OTP Delivery Scam?
Amazon OTP delivery scams start with someone gaining access to your Amazon account and attempting to buy expensive items using your money. The scammer doesn't have the item yet, so there is still time to get your money back. Here's how the scam works.
Your Account is Hacked
At this point, you will be unaware that someone has gained access to your account. They could have stolen your password using a phishing technique, or your information could have been involved in a data breach.
Whatever the case, the hacker now has access to your Amazon account and your saved payment methods.
The Scammer Orders Something Expensive
The scammer orders something expensive from Amazon using your account and credit card. They will use a mailing address that isn’t their own, so you won’t be able to trace them. You’ll receive a confirmation of your order from Amazon, but you may miss this email or notification.
You Receive an OTP Email from Amazon
What is an Amazon One-Time Password?
To reduce fraud, Amazon has given users the chance to use a one-time password (OTP) to confirm the delivery of certain items (usually more expensive items), adding an extra layer of security.
If Amazon requires an OTP for your item, they will send a six-digit password to your email once the package is shipped (you can also find the OTP in the “Your Orders” section in Amazon).
When the package is being delivered, you will be required to tell the Amazon driver the OTP. Without this password, your delivery cannot be made.
You receive an email from Amazon with a one-time password for your delivery. You may think this is for a recent order you made and think nothing of it. However, if you’re not waiting for an Amazon delivery, this should alert you to a scam.
You log in to your Amazon account to see the scammer’s order made in your account and charged to your credit card.
The Package is Delivered
The scammer waits by the delivery address waiting for the Amazon delivery truck. The driver asks for the OTP before handing over the package. Since the scammer has access to your Amazon account, they can see the OTP in the “Your Orders” section and will be able to accept the delivery.
If you notice the fraudulent order before the delivery is complete, you should cancel the order and change your Amazon password, so the scammer doesn’t have the OTP.
Once the package is handed over, the scam is complete, and the thief has gotten away with buying something expensive using your money. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to catch the scammer because the address they used wasn’t theirs.
An OTP Text is a Sign of a Different Scam
If you receive a text message with a one-time password (OTP) but haven't been trying to access your Amazon account or know why you received the code, this could be a sign of either:
- A phishing attempt (i.e., a fake Amazon text designed to steal your information)
- Someone trying to log in to your Amazon account
How To Beat Amazon OTP Delivery Scams
To beat Amazon OTP delivery scams, it’s essential to pay attention to Amazon delivery confirmation emails. If you see any items you didn’t order, it’s time to change your password and secure your account.
If you receive an email with an OTP for delivery, check all pending orders on Amazon to see which one the OTP is for. You may find an order that isn’t yours.
If you receive a text message with a one-time password to confirm the delivery of an item you didn’t order, you should immediately go to your account and change your password. Then check your account for:
- Unauthorized purchases
- Unauthorized changes
- Logins that you don’t recognize
- Thousands of brands, millions of products
- Free shipping on millions of items
- Free One-Day delivery with Amazon Prime, available coast to coast
Red Flags of Amazon OTP Delivery Scams
You won’t usually know your account has been hacked until someone places an order. However, there are some early warnings to look out for. Here are some signs of this scam to watch out for:
- An OTP sent to your phone: This is an early warning sign that someone is trying to access your account. Amazon sends one-time passwords when you have two-step verification turned on. If you’ve been texted an OTP, this may mean someone is trying to log into your Amazon account.
- Receiving an email with an OTP for your delivery: If you receive an OTP from Amazon, you should immediately check what delivery it’s for. If it’s for an item you didn’t order, then someone has hacked your account.
- A confirmation that your OTP delivery has been made: If you receive a confirmation that your delivery was made, but you didn’t accept the delivery yourself, chances are a scammer has taken off with the item.
Amazon OTP Delivery Examples
You can find your Amazon OTP in your email or within the orders section of your Amazon account.
Email vs Text Message OTPs
In the U.S., Amazon delivery one-time passwords are sent via email to your registered email address. You can also find the OTP number in the “Your Order” section of your Amazon account. OTP’s for delivery are not texted to you.
If you receive a text message with an OTP, this means someone is trying to log into your Amazon account.
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you’ve received an Amazon OTP email for an item you didn’t order, you should:
- Change your account login information right away. It’s best to use a password that is random and hard to guess.
- Cancel the order if it’s yet to be delivered.
- Report the scam to Amazon. Keep track of all details to ensure Amazon has enough information to try to track down the thief. Also, the more thorough you are, the higher your chances of quickly getting your money back for an item someone purchased using your account.
- Report the issue to the authorities. They can advise you regarding the next steps, depending on whether your account has merely been hacked or if the scammer used it to make a purchase.
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