Amazon Seller Scams: Third-Party Fraud Guide
Amazon hosts over 2 million active third-party sellers, and they account for roughly 60% of all units sold on the platform. Most are legitimate businesses. But the sheer volume creates cover for fraudulent sellers who exploit Amazon's marketplace infrastructure, buyer trust, and the Amazon brand halo to steal money. Here are the most common Amazon seller scams and how to avoid them.
The Price-Too-Low Listing
A product that normally sells for $300 appears listed by a third-party seller for $89. The listing uses the same product images and description as the legitimate listing. Buyers assume it is a sale or clearance price. After purchase, one of three things happens: you receive nothing, you receive a cheap knockoff, or you receive an empty box with a valid tracking number (so the seller can claim delivery).
"Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones — $49.99 — Only 3 left in stock! Ships from and sold by ElectroDeals2026." — A listing price roughly 85% below market value from a seller with no review history.
Brushing Scams
You receive packages from Amazon that you never ordered. Inside is a cheap, lightweight item — a phone case, a seed packet, a keychain. This is a brushing scam: a seller uses your name and address (obtained from data breaches) to ship trivial items, then posts fake "verified purchase" reviews under your name to boost their product ratings.
While you are not charged, it means your personal information is in the wrong hands. Change your Amazon password, enable 2FA, and report the incident to Amazon.
Think it might be a scam?
Paste it here for a free, instant verdict.
Free · No signup required · Cmd+Enter to scan
Review Manipulation
Sellers generate fake five-star reviews through paid review farms, incentivized reviews (free product in exchange for a positive review), and review hijacking (attaching a product to an existing listing with genuine positive reviews, then swapping the product to something completely different).
A listing with 4.8 stars and 3,000 reviews feels trustworthy. But if those reviews were purchased at $1-$3 each, the rating is meaningless. Use tools like Fakespot or ReviewMeta to analyze review authenticity before purchasing.
Counterfeit Products
Sellers list products under established brand names but ship counterfeits. Because Amazon commingles inventory in its warehouses (multiple sellers' stock of the "same" product may be stored together), even choosing "Ships from and sold by Amazon.com" does not guarantee authenticity for all products.
Counterfeit electronics can be dangerous — fake chargers, batteries, and adapters that do not meet safety standards have caused fires and injuries.
Off-Platform Payment Requests
After you message a seller with a question, they ask you to complete the transaction outside of Amazon — via direct wire transfer, Zelle, PayPal Friends & Family, or cryptocurrency. They offer a discount for doing so. Once you pay outside Amazon's system, you lose all buyer protection. The product never arrives, and Amazon cannot help you.
Amazon explicitly prohibits off-platform transactions. Any seller who suggests this is either a scammer or a policy violator — neither is trustworthy.
Fake Tracking Number Scam
The seller provides a real tracking number that shows delivery to your zip code, but the package goes to a different address in your area. Amazon's system registers the package as delivered, making dispute resolution difficult. The buyer receives nothing but the tracking data suggests otherwise.
Subscription Traps
Products listed at impossibly low prices are actually "Subscribe & Save" listings that sign you up for recurring monthly shipments at a higher price. The full pricing is buried in the listing details, and many buyers do not notice until they see unexpected charges on subsequent months.
How to Shop Safely on Amazon
Check the seller's history. Click the seller name to view their rating, review count, and how long they have been selling on Amazon. New sellers with no history selling high-value electronics are red flags.
Read negative reviews specifically. Filter to 1-star and 2-star reviews. They reveal patterns — "never received," "counterfeit," "different from listing" — that five-star reviews hide.
Prefer "Ships from and sold by Amazon." While not foolproof, products sold directly by Amazon have more consistent quality control and easier return processes.
Never pay outside Amazon. All legitimate transactions happen through Amazon's checkout. Any request to pay through other channels is a scam.
Compare prices across sellers. If one seller's price is dramatically lower than all others for the same product, it is likely fraudulent.
Report suspicious listings. Use the "Report incorrect product information" link on the listing page. Amazon investigates reported listings, but action requires buyer reports.
If a seller directs you to an external website or sends suspicious links, check them at IsThisAScam before clicking.
Received something suspicious? Check it now for free →