Hampshire Residents Targeted by Phone Scams Posing as Amazon
Residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being urged to stay vigilant after a surge in reports of fraudsters posing as Amazon representatives in an effort to steal personal and financial information.
According to the Fraud Safeguarding Team, victims have been receiving unsolicited phone calls from individuals claiming to be from Amazon, often insisting that there are problems with the recipient’s account, orders they never placed, or urgent subscription issues. Police say the goal is to pressure people into revealing sensitive information or making payments.
Amazon has reiterated that legitimate company representatives will never ask customers for one-time passcodes over the phone, remote access to devices, gift card numbers, or bank details. The company advises customers to hang up immediately if they receive any suspicious calls and to verify their account activity by visiting the official Amazon website or app.
Common tactics used by scammers include:
• Requesting payments or bank transfers outside of the Amazon site
• Asking for remote access to devices or urging installation of unfamiliar apps
• Attempting to obtain passwords, banking details, or OTP codes
• Creating false emergencies about expiring subscriptions or unauthorized purchases
Authorities are recommending the public report phishing emails to their email provider or by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk. Suspicious texts or phone numbers can be forwarded to 7726, a free reporting service run by mobile networks.
Those affected by fraud are encouraged to contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for cybercrime, either online or by calling 0300 123 2040. Victims seeking emotional or practical support can reach the Victim Care Hub on 0808 178 1641.
In emergencies — including crimes in progress or situations where evidence may be lost — residents should dial 999. Non-urgent crimes can be reported through the official Hampshire Constabulary website.
The Fraud Safeguarding Team continues to urge residents to stay cautious: “It’s OK to hang up.”