How Scammers Use Fake Order Confirmations to Trick Shoppers
Dec 04, 2025Holiday inboxes get flooded with order updates, shipping alerts, and receipts. Scammers know it—and they take advantage by sending incredibly convincing fake order confirmations designed to make you panic or get curious enough to click.
Most of these scams come as emails or texts that look like:
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“Thank you for your purchase—your card has been charged $799.”
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“Your order is confirmed. View details.”
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“Your package is on the way—track shipment here.”
They usually imitate Amazon, Walmart, Target, UPS, or FedEx. And during a season when many of us really are buying things, the timing is perfect for scammers.
Why this scam works
The goal is simple: get you to click the link before you think.
By the time you’re wondering “Wait, I didn’t order this…,” you’ve already landed on a fake website built to steal:
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your login
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your credit card details
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or access to your email or Amazon account
Some even ask you to “cancel the order” by entering billing info.
How to stay safe
1️⃣ Don’t click the link
If a message surprises you—especially if it mentions money—go directly to the retailer’s website or app and check your order history there.
2️⃣ Look closely at the sender
Fake confirmations often come from weird Gmail addresses or slightly misspelled domains.
3️⃣ Be cautious with attachments
Legitimate retailers almost never send PDFs in order confirmations. Scam emails often include attachments containing malware.
4️⃣ Turn on 2FA everywhere
Two-factor authentication for Amazon, Apple, Google, and your email goes a long way in preventing account takeover.
5️⃣ When in doubt, ask me
Screenshot anything suspicious and send it my way. I’ll take a quick look and let you know if it’s legit.
Holiday shopping shouldn’t come with stress. A little caution goes a long way in keeping your information safe while you enjoy the season.
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