UK shoppers warned as fake Amazon pages surge during deal season

Amazon has issued an urgent warning to customers in the UK as Black Friday activity fuels a major spike in spoof websites, fake emails and scam adverts. The company says cybercriminals are cloning its branding and checkout screens to steal passwords and payment information from people rushing to secure limited-time deals. With the busiest shopping period of the year now underway, users are being urged to take extra care before clicking on any link that claims to be from Amazon.

According to the alert, scammers are heavily relying on phishing messages that pretend an order has been delayed or that there is a problem with payment. These messages push shoppers toward convincing copycat login pages designed solely to grab account credentials and bank details. During the fast-paced Black Friday sales, shoppers are more likely to act quickly without checking the source — and that split second is all cybercriminals need to take advantage.

Amazon has also flagged an increase in malicious adverts appearing online, including on social platforms and within search results. Some fake listings promote huge discounts on in-demand products, while others claim to offer special or hidden deals only accessible via a direct link. Clicking through to these pages can result in account theft, malware installation or fraudulent transactions.

The company emphasises that legitimate Amazon customer support will never ask shoppers for sensitive information such as full card details or one-time passcodes over the phone, email or text. If customers receive such requests, they are advised to end communication immediately and report the attempt. Protecting personal security should take priority over securing a discount, no matter how tempting the offer appears.

Amazon is asking users to take simple precautions to defend their accounts. The first step is enabling two-step verification, meaning any login attempt must be confirmed through a secondary check. The company also encourages customers to update old passwords, avoid reusing them across multiple sites and ensure that any sign-in happens directly through the official app or website.

To combat the issue on a wider scale, Amazon is working closely with cybersecurity partners to detect and block fraudulent domains. Automated tools scan for webpages that mimic Amazon’s design and attempt to trick visitors into submitting personal data. While this rapid response helps reduce the number of dangerous links online, scammers continue to evolve their tactics, especially during peak shopping times.

The warning stresses that the most effective defence is vigilance from shoppers themselves. UK users are being advised to avoid clicking on unexpected emails or promotional links and instead type “amazon.co.uk” manually into their browser. If a message claims there is an issue with an order, the safest option is to sign in independently and verify the status from the Orders page rather than trusting the link provided.

The alert arrives at the height of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, when browsing speeds are high and distractions even higher. Criminals know shoppers are more focused on bargains than on security, making now the perfect time to strike. That’s why Amazon is urging everyone to slow down just long enough to check what they are about to open.

Overall, the company’s message to UK customers is clear: enjoy the savings, but stay suspicious of anything unfamiliar or urgent-sounding. Black Friday is a prime moment for scammers, but taking a few careful steps can keep deals exciting — not dangerous.