That "Product Recall" Email From Amazon? It Might Be a Scam

You get an email that looks like it came from Amazon. It says a product you bought has been recalled for a safety issue. It asks you to click a link, sign in, and confirm your information for a refund.

It looks official. It sounds urgent. And it might be completely fake.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline is reporting a spike in these "recall scams." The messages appear to come from trusted stores like Amazon, Costco, or Walmart. But the link inside leads to a fake sign-in page built to steal your password, credit card number, or Social Security number.

How the Scam Works

Scammers know two things about us. First, we trust big-name stores. Second, the word "recall" makes us act fast. Nobody wants an unsafe product in their home.

So the scammer sends an email or text that copies the real store's logo and colors. It says something like:

"URGENT: A product in your recent order has been recalled due to a fire hazard. Click here to verify your account and receive a full refund."

The link takes you to a page that looks like the store's website. But it isn't. When you "sign in," the scammer captures your password. If the page asks for a credit card to "process your refund," they get that too.

A Real Example

One woman received a text saying her air fryer had been recalled by Costco. The text included a link to "claim a $180 refund." The page asked for her Costco login and her bank details for the deposit. Luckily, she called Costco first. Costco had no recall — and no record of the text. The refund was bait.

That is the pattern to remember: real recalls never ask for your password or bank information.

5 Simple Steps to Stay Safe

1. Don't click links in recall emails or texts. Not even to "just look." That click can lead to a fake page.
2. Check the real source. Go to the store's website yourself by typing the address, or visit CPSC.gov — the government's official recall site — to see if the product is truly recalled.
3. Never "sign in" from a link in a message. If you want to check your account, open the store's app or type the web address yourself.
4. A refund never needs your bank login. Real companies refund the card you paid with. Anyone asking for your bank password is a scammer. Full stop.
5. When in doubt, ask someone you trust. A quick call to a family member — or to us — before you click can save you months of cleanup.

What To Do If You Clicked

Don't panic, and don't be embarrassed. These messages fool smart people every day.

Change the password for the account right away, and for any other account that uses the same password. If you entered a card number, call your bank or card company and ask them to watch for fraud or replace the card. You can report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 877-908-3360.

We're Here to Help

At Confidentive, we help seniors handle exactly these moments — checking whether a message is real, securing accounts, and setting up simple protections so scam emails never get a foothold. If you received a message like this and you're not sure what to do, reach out to us. We'll look at it with you, no judgment, no jargon.

And if this article helped you, please share it with a friend or family member. One forwarded email can save someone a lot of money and worry.