A convincing fake email claiming to be from Amazon shows up in your inbox. It warns you of a sign-in from an unknown device or says your account is locked. Or maybe it thanks you for a purchase you never made. The email urges you to click a link and take action immediately.This is exactly how scammers trick people into giving up personal details, login credentials, or even payment information.Lets break down how this scam works, what to watch for, and how Amazon is helping customers verify whats real.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER.NEW PAYPAL SCAM USES REAL EMAILS TO TRICK YOUScammers are sending out emails that appear to be from Amazon. These messages might:The emails usually include Amazons logo and familiar formatting. Some even spoof the "From" address to make it appear as if it came from @amazon.com. The goal is always the same: get you to click a link or button that leads to a fake website where you're asked to log in or share sensitive information. Once you do, scammers can steal your Amazon credentials and gain access to your account, payment info, shipping addresses, and more. Below is an example of what one of these phishing emails might look like, so you can see how convincing they can be.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREScam emails can be convincing, but there are a few easy ways to tell if an Amazon message is real. The most foolproof method is to use Amazons Message Center, a secure inbox built into your account that stores every official communication sent by Amazon. If you receive an email and youre not sure its real, go to your Amazon Message Center using a browser or the Amazon Shopping app. If the message isnt listed there, it wasnt sent by Amazon. To access your Message Center:WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?You can also spot fake messages by looking for these signs:Get Kurts picks for Best Early Prime Day deals:Cyberguy.com/AmazonPrimeDay.That smile logo you may see next to Amazons name in your inbox isnt just for show. It is part of a larger verification system designed to help customers distinguish between real emails and scams.In an interview with CyberGuy, Amazons VP of Worldwide Buyer Risk Prevention explained:"Weve made it harder for bad actors to impersonate Amazon communications through implementing industry-leading tools, including the adoption of a secure email capability to make it easier for customers to identify authentic emails from Amazon and avoid phishing attempts. Customers using Gmail, Yahoo!, and other common email providers can be confident that when they receive an @amazon.com email with the smile logo in their inbox, that email is really from us."The smile icon now appears next to verified @amazon.com emails in inboxes like Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple Mail. It is a quick visual cue that the email has passed Amazons security checks and can be trusted.This system helps reduce guesswork, but it is not foolproof. If you ever doubt the legitimacy of a message, go directly to your Amazon Message Center. Any real communication from Amazon will be listed there.How to protect yourself from fake emailsEven with Amazon rolling out new safeguards like verified sender logos and the Message Center, scammers are still targeting customers with sophisticated phishing emails. Here are the top ways to protect yourself:1. Know the signs of a scam: Fake Amazon emails often try to scare you or tempt you into clicking by using familiar tricks. You might see a message claiming your account has been locked, offering a gift card or refund, confirming an order you never placed, or asking you to verify payment details or login credentials. These tactics are meant to create urgency or curiosity. Its important to remember that Amazon will never ask for your password, banking information, or gift card codes by email.2. Double-check every message: If something feels off, dont click anything. Instead, visit Amazon.com or open the app to check your order history and account messages. If the email doesnt appear in your Amazon Message Center, its not real. Also hover over the senders name to see the full email address. Genuine messages come from @amazon.com and may show the Amazon smile logo if your inbox supports it.3. Avoid clicking on unknown links and use strong antivirus software:Phishing emails often contain links that appear to lead to Amazon but actually take you to fake websites designed to steal your information. Instead of clicking, its safer to type amazon.com directly into your browser to verify any claims. For added protection, consider using antivirus software that can detect scam links, block dangerous sites, and alert you to phishing emails or ransomware threats. This extra layer of security helps keep your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices by visitingCyberGuy.com/LockUpYourTech.4. Reduce your exposure to scammers:Phishing emails often originate from personal information found on public databases, people-search sites, and data broker platforms. To limit how often you're targeted, consider using a data removal service. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services by visiting hereCyberguy.com/Delete.5. Report suspicious emails: If you receive a phishing message pretending to be from Amazon, report it right away. This helps Amazon investigate the scam and improve their ability to block similar messages in the future. You can forward the suspicious email to stop-spoofing@amazon.com, or submit it through Amazons official reporting form.Scam emails that pretend to be from Amazon are getting more realistic, but there are still clear ways to protect yourself. Use the Message Center to confirm any message tied to your account. Always double-check the sender's address, look for the smile logo in your inbox when supported, and never click on links unless you're certain they're safe. A few quick habits can go a long way in keeping your personal information secure.Have you ever received a suspicious email claiming to be from Amazon or another company? How did you spot the red flags, or did it almost fool you? Let us know by writing to us atCyberguy.com/Contact.Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, youll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join myCYBERGUY.COM/NEWSLETTER.Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved.