Amazon Issues Black Friday Warning as 300 Mln Shoppers Face Cyber-Attack Risks

Amazon has warned customers to stay alert this Black Friday, saying as many as 300 mln shoppers could be targeted by cybercriminals during the year’s busiest online shopping period.

The company says scammers are increasingly impersonating Amazon through fake delivery notices, bogus account-problem alerts and counterfeit social media deals designed to steal personal or financial information. Many victims are lured through emails, text messages or sponsored search results that direct them to fraudulent websites.

«As the busy shopping season approaches, stay informed to recognise impersonation scams,» Amazon said in a customer advisory, stressing that it will never ask for passwords, payment information or account verification via unsolicited messages.

Fraudsters commonly use phishing links that mimic Amazon’s login pages, tricking users into revealing sensitive data that can later be used for identity theft or account takeovers.

Amazon urged shoppers to use only its official website or mobile app for purchases, delivery updates and customer service, and to enable two-step verification or passkeys to protect their accounts. Customers were also warned to ignore any request for urgent payments, gift cards or wire transfers.

Black Friday remains one of the peak times for online scams as criminals exploit the surge in shoppers searching for steep discounts. Authorities advise buyers to double-check links, avoid too-good-to-be-true offers and navigate directly to retailers’ official sites.