Amazon triangle scam: How it works and how to stay safe

What is the Amazon triangle scam?

The Amazon triangle scam, also known as triangulation fraud, is a type of online shopping fraud that deceives both buyers and sellers on marketplace platforms like Amazon. In these scams, fraudsters act as intermediaries and use stolen credit cards to make legitimate purchases while keeping the profit and avoiding detection — at least for a while.

How does Amazon triangulation fraud work?

Amazon triangulation fraud starts when a scammer creates a third-party seller account on Amazon and lists popular products at low prices. After a customer places an order, the scammer purchases the same item from a legitimate store — such as Best Buy, Walmart, or another Amazon seller — using a stolen credit card and ships it directly to the buyer.

The customer gets the order and doesn’t suspect anything. Meanwhile, the real credit card owner reports unauthorized charges, which triggers a chargeback. The retailer loses the money, and the scammer takes the stolen funds and disappears.

For example, imagine you buy a smartwatch at a great price from a well-rated Amazon seller. The package arrives on time, but what you don’t know is that the seller used stolen credit card details to purchase it from another store. When the fraud is discovered, the original retailer loses the money, and the scammer walks away with the profit — while you unknowingly end up with a product linked to fraud.

Who’s involved in triangulation fraud?

Triangulation fraud in e-commerce involves three key players, each with a distinct role in the scam.

• The buyer is a regular shopper looking for a good deal. Unaware of the scam, they purchase a product believing it’s from a legitimate online retailer. They receive the item but have no idea it was originally bought with a stolen credit card.
• The scammer, or fraudulent seller, is the mastermind behind the fraud. They create a fake seller account, list popular products at low prices, and use stolen credit card details to buy the item from a real store. They take the buyer’s money and disappear before anyone catches them.
• The seller is a real business that unknowingly gets pulled into the scam. They process the fraudulent order and ship the product, only to get hit with a chargeback when the real card owner reports fraud. They lose both the product and the money.

How to spot an Amazon triangle scam

Amazon triangle scams can be hard to detect because everything seems normal on the surface. However, if you know what to look for, you can avoid becoming their next target. Look for these red flags to spot marketplace fraud before it’s too late:

🚩 Too-good-to-be-true prices. Scammers lure buyers with deals that seem unrealistically cheap. If a high-end smartwatch is selling for half the usual price, that’s a red flag.

🚩 New or unverified sellers. Fraudsters often create new accounts to avoid detection. Check the seller’s history, reviews, and ratings. If a seller popped up last week and has no feedback, be cautious.

🚩 Unusual payment requests. Amazon requires payments to go through its secure system. If a seller asks you to pay via Venmo, PayPal, or gift cards, it's likely a scam. In fact, data shows that over 30% of US consumers have been targeted by gift card scams, so if someone asks you to pay with gift cards — report and block them.

🚩 Non-standard shipping practices. Legitimate Amazon sellers usually provide tracking from trusted carriers. If a seller offers vague shipping details or says the product will ship directly from another retailer, you might be involved in a scam.

🚩 Inconsistent or generic reviews. Scammers may flood their page with fake 5-star reviews. Watch for repetitive language, overly generic comments, or a sudden spike in reviews within a short time.

🚩 Limited or no customer support. Legitimate sellers respond to questions and concerns. If a seller ignores messages or gives vague answers, they may be hiding something — possibly their real identity.

🚩 Strange return policies. Amazon has clear return rules. If a seller refuses returns, charges high restocking fees, or asks you to return items to a suspicious address, think twice before buying.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Getting scammed can be frustrating, but acting fast can help minimize the damage. If you realize you’ve fallen victim to an Amazon triangle scam, take these steps:

1. 1.Stop all contact with the scammer. Don’t respond to any messages from the fraudulent seller. Scammers may try to convince you that everything is fine or trick you into sending more money.
2. 2.Report to authorities and press charges. File a complaint with your local police, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or consumer protection agencies. Even if the amount is small, reporting helps build cases against scammers and prevents them from targeting others.
3. 3.Inform the legitimate seller. Contact the retailer from whom the scammer purchased the item using stolen credit card details. They may already be investigating similar fraud cases.
4. 4.Notify Amazon. Report the scam to Amazon’s customer support. Amazon may suspend the scammer’s account and, if you paid through its system, help you with a refund.
5. 5.Contact the payment service provider. If you used a credit card, PayPal, or another payment method, dispute the charge or request a chargeback immediately. Acting quickly increases your chances of getting your money back.
6. 6.Monitor your financial accounts. Check your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity. If needed, request a new card or enable fraud alerts to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
7. 7.Warn others. Leave a review or report the scam seller to help prevent others from falling for the same trap. Spreading awareness makes it harder for scammers to operate.

How to protect yourself from triangulation fraud

Triangulation fraud affects everyone involved — the buyer who unknowingly purchases from a scammer, the legitimate seller who gets stuck with a chargeback, and the person whose stolen credit card was used. Whether you’re shopping online, running a business, or protecting your financial information, the steps below can help you stay safe.

• Research the seller. If you’re shopping on an online marketplace, check the seller’s reviews, ratings, and account history before buying. Avoid sellers with no reviews, newly created accounts, or multiple negative comments. If you’re a seller, watch out for third-party resellers falsely claiming to represent your brand.
• Check product descriptions. Read the full product description to avoid counterfeit or misleading listings. If you’re a merchant, watch for scammers using your product details under fake storefronts.
• Avoid storing your credit card details online. If you store your card information on multiple sites, hackers can easily grab it in a data breach, putting your money and sensitive data at risk. To stay safe, avoid saving your payment details online. Enter your card information manually for each purchase or use a virtual card.
• Use secure and reputable payment methods. The safest way to pay is through Amazon’s official checkout system. If a seller asks for PayPal, Venmo, gift cards, or wire transfers, they are likely running a scam. If you’re a seller, watch out for unusual orders or large bulk purchases from unfamiliar accounts.
• Be skeptical of unrealistic deals. If a product is selling for far less than its usual retail price, question why. Scammers use huge discounts to lure buyers.
• Be cautious of unsolicited packages. If you receive a package you didn’t order, a scammer may have used your name and address in a fraud scheme. Check your Amazon account for unknown orders, and report any unauthorized charges to your bank immediately.

If you receive an Amazon package you didn’t order, a scammer may have used your name and address in a fraud scheme known as "brushing." Brushing scam happens when bad actors send packages to publicly available addresses to boost their seller ratings. If no one in your household ordered the package, report it using Amazon’s Report Unwanted Package form.

• Monitor account activity. Regularly check your bank statements and transactions for unauthorized charges. If you’re a seller, track chargebacks and disputed payments because they may signal fraud.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Turn on 2FA to protect your Amazon account from hackers who could place fraudulent orders or hijack seller accounts. However, keep in mind that while 2FA prevents unauthorized access, it doesn't stop triangulation fraud because scammers use stolen credit cards without needing access to your account.
• Report suspicious sellers. If something seems off about a seller or a product listing, report it to Amazon. Buyers, sellers, and fraud victims can all help prevent further Amazon scams by flagging fraudulent activity.

How to report fraud on Amazon

Amazon takes fraud seriously, but acting fast increases your chances of stopping scammers. If you suspect fraud on Amazon, report it to help protect others.

Report a fraudulent seller or listing

To report a fraudulent seller or listing, visit the seller’s page or product listing and click "Report abuse" or “Report an issue with this product or seller.” Follow the instructions and provide as much information as possible.

Report an unauthorized charge

If you notice an unauthorized charge from Amazon, log in to your account and check "Your orders" to see if the charge was made from your account. If it doesn't appear there but is on your bank statement, contact Amazon customer service and your credit card provider immediately to dispute the transaction.

Report a scam message or phishing attempt

Scammers often use phishing emails or fake messages to steal personal information. If you receive an email, text, or call claiming to be from Amazon and containing a suspicious URL or request for details, do not click or share any information.

If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from Amazon and believe it's a forgery,

. You can also forward phishing emails and other suspected forgeries directly to stop-spoofing@amazon.com.

Report unauthorized use of your seller account

If you’re a seller and suspect unauthorized activity on your account, log in to “Amazon seller central” and contact “Amazon seller support.” Secure your account by changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA).