Amazon issues urgent 48-hour alert to all UK users and ignoring it will be costly

Amazon is warning all customers to be on high alert for scams ahead of Black Friday 2025.

A massive weekend of shopping is on the horizon, with Black Friday 2025 kicking off, tomorrow, November 28. This annual event is known for offering massive discounts across tech, fashion, home appliances, and more. That makes it a prime opportunity to snag a big bargain and save some serious cash. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak time for scams.

Cybercriminals are well known for exploiting the excitement around Black Friday, with online crooks using a number of sneaky tricks to attack unsuspecting shoppers. In a bid to cut down on people getting scammed, UK network O2 recently issued a warning about rising online attacks. Now Amazon has also released its own important alert.

In an email sent to users, and seen by Mirror Online, Amazon said: “As the busy shopping season approaches, stay informed with these tips to help recognise impersonation scams—when a scammer pretends to be a trusted company and contacts you in an attempt to access sensitive information such as personal details, financial information, or Amazon account data.”

So what do you need to watch out for?

Amazon says that cybercriminals use a variety of tactics during Black Friday to target unsuspecting consumers. Common methods include sending fake delivery notifications, claiming that your shopping account needs updating, or pressuring you to resolve nonexistent issues.

Victims who fall for these schemes may unknowingly hand over highly sensitive information, which scammers can then use to steal money or access accounts.

According to Amazon, some of the most widespread scams appearing in November involve bogus messages about delivery or account problems, misleading third-party social media posts promoting deals that seem too good to be true, and requests for passwords or payment details sent through unofficial channels.

Another tactic involves sending unfamiliar links that urge customers to “verify” their account credentials on fake or phishing websites.

“Amazon will never send emails asking customers to verify their account credentials,” the company warned.

To help survive the next few days of shopping, Amazon has released 5 rules that are very wise to follow.

• Always use the Amazon mobile app or website for all your shopping needs, including customer service, account changes, delivery tracking, and refund status.

• Remember, Amazon will never ask you to make payments or to provide payment information (including gift cards or wire transfers) for products or services over the phone.

• Consider setting up 2-step verification when available to your online accounts to help prevent unauthorised account access. You can set up 2-step verification at amazon.co.uk/2SV.

• Save time and stay secure using a passkey. It’s a safer way to sign in than using passwords and it works with the same face, fingerprint, or PIN you already use to unlock your device. Set up a passkey at amazon.co.uk/passkey.

• Scammers might try to create a sense of urgency to persuade you to do what they’re asking. Be careful any time someone tries to convince you that you must act now.

If you are hoping to grab a discount this Black Friday, then it’s vital to stay alert and only shop via official websites such as Amazon.co.uk.

Also watch out for text or email messages that suddenly appear out of the blue and don’t be lured into clicking on any links to grab a deal.