Shopping online just got riskier, with fake Amazon recall notices appearing in text messages and emails, claiming recent purchases are dangerous and offering refunds. Experts warn that the messages are scams designed to steal personal information and money. The fraudulent alerts mimic legitim ate product recalls, but instead of protecting consumers, they aim to trick users into clicking malicious links. With just one wrong tap, scammers can gain access to accounts and make unauthorized purchases. Like many shoppers, Taylor Frost Smith spends a fair amount of time browsing and buying items online. “I am frequently buying all kinds of things at all hours of the night, having three little kids, I love Amazon,” she said. As a mom, safety is a top priority, and she makes an effort to register products in case of real recalls. “I am also very diligent in registering my product, because if there’s a recall, I really want to know about it,” she said. That’s why she was surprised when she received a text message claiming to be an Amazon product recall notice. The message said an item she bought in December was under recall and asked her to click a link for details and refund options. Taylor said something didn’t seem right. “These texts look real,” said Oriene Shin of Consumer Reports. “People are being scammed that way,” Shin said. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers behind these fake recall messages are primarily trying to steal Amazon passwords. With that information, they can take over accounts and go on a shopping spree at the victim’s expense. “Do not act, report it as spam, delete it, do not click on any links that are in there,” Shin said. Consumer Reports says Amazon will never send recall notices via text message and instead communicates through email. If you receive a suspicious message, experts recommend going directly to the Amazon app or website, entering your order number and using Rufus — Amazon’s AI tool — to check if a recall is legitimate. In Taylor’s case, Amazon confirmed there was no recall and said the message appeared to be a scam. Consumers can also verify recalls at recalls.gov or on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website. If a product is registered, official recall notices are typically sent by email or mail with instructions. Amazon is one of the most impersonated brands by scammers because of its widespread use, making it critical for shoppers to stay alert and protect their accounts and money. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less