Beware of Christmas Scams: Amazon Warns Against Festive Frauds

As the year-end holidays approach, the excitement of Christmas shopping attracts not only consumers but also a growing wave of festive scams. For millions of customers, this period is synonymous with great deals and celebrations, but it is also a favorable time for fraudulent attempts, especially those exploiting the image of Amazon, the undisputed giant of online commerce. Every year, cybercriminals increase their ingenuity to trap internet users through fake notifications, impersonated calls, or malicious messages mentioning “blocked” packages or promotions too good to be true.

This increase in scams, amplified by the influx of orders at Christmas and the frenzy of Black Friday, highlights a worrying reality: consumers are very often the preferred targets of these extortion attempts and theft of personal information. Amazon, aware of this threat, continues to strengthen its preventive communication, raising user awareness to adopt increased vigilance to guarantee online security.

Raising awareness of fraudulent practices becomes a necessity to protect not only buyers’ banking data but also the confidentiality of their accounts. The festive period of 2025 thus promises to be a real challenge for consumer protection, faced with a resurgence of sophisticated frauds and scams. In this context, it is crucial to master the right reflexes towards suspicious messages and understand how Amazon and digital security specialists act to limit these risks.

The most common festive scam methods approaching Christmas

Every year, the Christmas holidays bring their share of specific frauds, and Amazon users are particularly targeted. Festive scams come in various forms but all share the exploitation of consumers’ emotions, impatience, and sometimes confusion during this busy period.

Among the most widespread techniques are fake emails and SMS messages, almost perfectly imitating official Amazon communications. These messages often announce a problem with an order – blocked package, incorrect address, payment issue – and encourage clicking on a link. In reality, this link redirects to a fraudulent site designed to collect your personal and banking data.

Phone calls are also very frequent. Frauds impersonate Amazon’s identity using an alarmist tone, sometimes pushing the victim to urgently provide sensitive information to supposedly resolve a delivery problem. Once the scammers have this data, they can carry out fraudulent purchases or identity theft.

Moreover, some traps take the form of fake promotions. Websites that appear official offer exceptional deals, especially during event sales like Black Friday, but these platforms’ sole purpose is to collect money without ever shipping orders.

Users must therefore be aware that the mere presence of the Amazon logo or a similar email address does not guarantee the authenticity of a message. This mimicry is precisely designed to reduce the vigilance of the most rushed or less experienced consumers.

Here is a list of the most frequently encountered scam practices:

• Phishing via email, SMS, or WhatsApp: fraudulent links and attachments.
• Fraudulent calls impersonating Amazon’s name to obtain personal information.
• Fake promotion sites offering products at reduced prices that do not exist.
• Fake delivery notifications requesting payment or confirmation of banking details.
• Account hijacking via brute force attacks or password theft.

This range of methods, often combined, is implemented by structured networks that record a significant increase in fraudulent activities during November and December. Amazon, facing this surge every year, multiplies awareness campaigns to inform its customers of potential dangers.

Amazon facing the rise of fraud: initiatives and recommendations for online security

Aware of this rise in scams, Amazon’s security managers have implemented large-scale prevention measures, notably since November 2025. These actions aim to protect over 300 million users worldwide and strengthen trust in online shopping platforms.

One of the main measures is to send preventive messages to customers reminding them to stay vigilant. Thus, users receive official notifications encouraging them never to click on links received by SMS or email from dubious sources. Amazon also emphasizes that all order information is accessible only via the client account on the official site or application.

To further secure the user experience, Amazon encourages enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This procedure adds an extra layer of protection by requiring, in addition to the password, a code sent to the phone or an authentication app to validate the login. This feature, although sometimes seen as inconvenient, is an effective barrier against account hijacking.

Here is a summary table of Amazon’s essential advice to avoid Christmas traps:

Security advice	Description
Never click on suspicious links	Ignore unsolicited emails or SMS mentioning delivery problems or limited offers
Check your Amazon account directly	Verify orders via the application or official site without going through received links
Never share banking data outside official platforms	Avoid providing sensitive information during calls or via third-party sites
Enable two-factor authentication	Strengthen account protection by requesting additional verification at each login
Report any suspicious attempt	Contact Amazon customer service only via the app or official site and report fraud

In addition to these tips, Amazon recommends immediately stopping any suspicious interaction. Consumer vigilance thus remains the best defense against these scams that play on the urgency and panic generated by the impatience linked to the holidays.

Impact of fraud on consumers and the economy in the context of Christmas shopping

The consequences of fraud during the holidays are not limited to individual losses only. They also create an atmosphere of insecurity that can durably affect trust in e-commerce. In 2025, concern over these festive scams is rising, with more than half of French consumers fearing being victims even before starting their shopping.

From an economic point of view, estimated losses reach several billion euros each year, impacting not only individuals but also businesses, especially platforms like Amazon that must invest massively in enhanced protection systems. Costs related to fraud management, victim compensation, and implementation of anti-fraud solutions weigh heavily on supply chains and commercial margins.

Beyond the financial aspect, these scams cause significant psychological stress for consumers. They must be extra cautious, slow down their ordering processes, and sometimes give up interesting offers for fear of fraud. This results in a less smooth and less enjoyable shopping experience during this key period.

For illustration, a survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission revealed that identity theft and credit card fraud are among the most numerous scams recorded around Black Friday and Christmas events. These figures testify to the growing sophistication of the techniques used and underscore the importance of constant vigilance.

It is therefore essential that each consumer becomes aware of the risks and adapts their behavior accordingly to protect not only their finances but also the quality of their online shopping experience.

Best practices for enhanced security during online Christmas shopping

To significantly reduce the risks of festive scams, it is essential to adopt simple good practices when shopping online. Here are some habits that help better secure transactions and enjoy end-of-year promotions in peace.

Exclusive use of official platforms and verification of URLs

Always prioritize access to official Amazon sites through direct searches or recognized applications. Careful URL checking is essential: it must start with “https://” and display a small padlock indicating the connection is secure. Never accept links sent through unsolicited messages.

Regular password updates and use of password managers

Changing passwords frequently, especially during high-activity commercial periods, limits the risk of intrusion. Password managers allow you to create unique, secure combinations and avoid duplicates, which are often exploited weaknesses by hackers.

Favoring secure payment methods

Opt for recognized methods such as PayPal, bank cards with enhanced authentication, or electronic wallets. These solutions often offer better protection in case of disputes, with the ability to contest fraudulent payments.

Activation of security notifications and order verification

Configure alerts on the Amazon account to be immediately informed of any suspicious activity. Regularly check order history to quickly detect unusual operations.

Continuous education and awareness

Finally, regularly informing yourself about new types of scams is a valuable weapon. Participating in awareness sessions or consulting online resources dedicated to online security can help stay up to date with best practices to protect oneself.

Here is a summary list of good practices to adopt:

• Always access sites via secure and official links
• Never share your login credentials or banking data by phone or email
• Use complex passwords and a password manager
• Enable two-factor authentication on all sensitive accounts
• Monitor and frequently verify orders and account activities
• Prefer secure and recognized payment methods
• Stay informed about new forms of scams

Authorities’ actions and the importance of reporting to protect consumers

Beyond the initiatives of online commerce actors, the fight against digital fraud during the year-end holidays also involves national and international authorities. In France, organizations such as UFC Que Choisir or the DGCCRF collaborate with Amazon and other platforms to better identify and combat festive scams.

Reporting fraud attempts plays a crucial role in the collective effort to protect consumers. Each alert allows specialized teams to analyze the methods used, trace the sources of scams, and block fraudulent sites or numbers. These interactions strengthen monitoring and responsiveness in the face of the constant evolution of cybercriminal practices.

Moreover, international cooperation is essential, as many fraud networks operate globally, exploiting regulatory gaps and judicial collaboration between countries. International conventions and cross-border working groups strive to create an effective legal framework to prosecute perpetrators and protect victims.

For example, Amazon offers its customers the ability to report any suspicious activity via a dedicated form accessible only from the official site or app. This simple-to-perform action strengthens collective security and contributes to better protection for all users.

In 2025, awareness of these processes is intensifying, as timely reporting can often make the difference between a failed attempt and significant financial loss.

Consumers thus have an enhanced responsibility to act against these dangers and a greater opportunity than ever to be actors in their own online security.