If you are an Amazon Prime member, you may have received a phone call claiming that your subscription is due to expire and that you need to renew it or cancel it. This is a scam that aims to trick you into giving remote access to your computer and your personal and financial information. Here is what you need to know about this scam and how to protect yourself.
What is the Amazon Prime Subscription Expiration Scam?
The Amazon Prime Subscription Expiration Scam is a type of remote access scam that targets Amazon Prime members. The scammers pretend to be from Amazon and use a recorded message to inform you that your subscription is expiring soon and that you will be charged automatically unless you press 1 to cancel or speak to customer service. If you press 1, you will be connected to a fraudster who will ask you to download an app that allows them to access your computer remotely. The app may be called AnyDesk or something similar. The fraudster will then use the app to monitor your online activity, steal your personal and financial information, or install malware on your device.
How the Amazon Prime Subscription Expiration Scam Works
The scam works by exploiting your trust in Amazon and your fear of losing money or being charged for something you don’t want. The scammers use spoofing techniques to make the phone call appear to be from a legitimate Amazon number. They also use a professional-sounding recorded message that mimics the tone and style of Amazon’s customer service. The message may sound urgent or alarming, and may mention a specific amount of money that will be taken from your account if you don’t act quickly. The scammers hope that you will be confused or curious enough to press 1 and speak to them.
Once you are on the line with the fraudster, they will try to convince you that they need remote access to your computer to cancel your subscription or verify your identity. They may claim that there is a security flaw on your device that allowed someone else to purchase the subscription fraudulently, or that they need to verify your account details before they can process your request. They may also ask you for your Amazon login details, banking details, or credit/debit card information. They may sound friendly, helpful, or authoritative, and may use pressure tactics or threats to make you comply.
If you agree to download the app that they recommend, you will give them full control over your device. They will be able to see everything on your screen, access your files and folders, manipulate your mouse and keyboard, and record your keystrokes. They will use this access to steal your personal and financial information, such as your passwords, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, online shopping history, etc. They may also install malware on your device that can damage it, spy on you, or encrypt your data and demand a ransom.
What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim
If you have received a call like this and have given remote access to your computer or shared any personal or financial information with the fraudster, here are some steps you can take:
- Disconnect the session by pressing a button that says “disconnect session” or something similar on the app. Alternatively, turn off your device and wi-fi immediately.
- Remove the app from your device by looking in your recent downloads folder and deleting it.
- Contact your bank and inform them of the scam. They may be able to block any fraudulent transactions or issue new cards for you.
- Change your passwords for all your online accounts, especially Amazon, email, and banking accounts.
- Scan your device for malware using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free (as seen below) and remove any suspicious files or programs.
- Report the scam call to Amazon by visiting their website and following their instructions for reporting something suspicious.
- Report the scam call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov and following their onscreen assistant.
- Report the scam call to the police if you have lost money or suffered any harm.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The Amazon Prime Subscription Expiration scammers may install malware on your device. To check your computer or phone for Trojans, browser hijackers, or other malware and remove them for free, you run a scan with Malwarebytes Free.
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
That’s it — your Windows computer is now free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Mac with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Phone with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options.
This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue.
Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step.
Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue.
Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
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Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
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Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
That’s it — your Android device is now free of malicious apps, adware, and browser redirects.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Conclusion
The Amazon Prime Subscription Expiration Scam is a dangerous scam that can cost you money and compromise your security. To avoid falling victim to this scam, remember these tips:
- Amazon will never ask you for remote access to your device or make any payments outside of its website.
- Amazon will never call you unsolicited about your subscription or ask you to press 1 to cancel or renew it.
- If you receive a call claiming to be from Amazon, hang up immediately. Do not press any buttons or speak to anyone.
- If you are unsure about the status of your subscription, visit Amazon’s website directly and check it yourself.
- If you are concerned about your account security, visit Amazon’s website and follow their tips for protecting your system.
Stay safe and vigilant!
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