Amazon Sends Urgent Alert — 300 Million Customers at Risk of Cyber Threat Ahead of Black Friday
As the global shopping frenzy builds ahead of this year’s Black Friday, Amazon has issued an urgent security alert warning that over 300 million customers may be exposed to a new wave of sophisticated cyber threats. With online shopping activity already surging, the company says cybercriminals are increasingly targeting users through phishing attacks, fake promotions, and account-takeover attempts.
According to Amazon’s security team, scammers are exploiting the high-traffic sales period to impersonate Amazon customer service, delivery agents, and order-verification systems. Many victims report receiving emails or SMS messages that appear to be from Amazon, requesting them to “verify their account,” “confirm a Black Friday order,” or “update payment details.”
A Spike in Fake Order Notifications
One of the major tactics being used this season involves fake order alerts. These messages contain malicious links that redirect users to cloned Amazon login pages. Once customers enter their credentials, attackers gain access to their accounts and can make unauthorized purchases or steal personal information.
Security experts warn that the volume and sophistication of these messages have increased sharply. Many of the fraudulent emails now include real Amazon branding, tracking-style numbers, and even spoofed sender addresses that look legitimate at first glance.
Amazon Responds With Emergency Advisory
In its official communication, Amazon emphasizes that it never asks customers to share passwords, OTP codes, or payment details via email, SMS, or phone calls. The company also advises customers to double-check all messages by logging directly into their Amazon account through the website or mobile app instead of clicking attached links.
Amazon has also strengthened its automated systems to block suspicious logins and introduced extra verification layers for accounts showing unusual activity.
How Customers Can Stay Safe
Cybersecurity analysts have offered practical safety guidelines as Black Friday shopping peaks:
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Avoid clicking unknown links, even if the message looks authentic.
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Go directly to the Amazon website or app to verify any claims about your orders or account.
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Enable two-step verification to prevent unauthorized logins.
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Check your account activity regularly for unusual transactions.
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Use strong, unique passwords that are not shared across multiple platforms.
Cybercriminals Target Holiday Shoppers
The holiday shopping season has always been prime time for online scams, but experts say this year’s threats are more aggressive due to the rise of AI-generated phishing content. Attackers now create highly personalized messages that resemble official Amazon communication, making them harder to detect.
The potential scale of the threat with more than 300 million users targeted highlights the urgency of Amazon’s alert. With Black Friday expected to set new sales records worldwide, customers are urged to remain vigilant.
Bottom Line
As millions of shoppers gear up for heavy Black Friday discounts, Amazon’s warning serves as a crucial reminder: cybercriminals are also gearing up. Staying cautious, double-checking messages, and using official channels for verification remain the best ways to stay protected.
