You’re waiting for a package and your phone buzzes with a new text message. It says it’s from Amazon, but you pause for a second. Does Amazon actually send text messages, or is this a clever scam? It’s a smart question to ask in a world where phishing attempts are common. Knowing the real answer can help you stay safe while also taking advantage of helpful notifications.
The short answer is yes, Amazon does send legitimate text messages. However, they are very specific about when and why they will contact you via SMS. They won’t send you promotional spam or random alerts out of the blue. Their text messages are typically tied to an active order or an account security need.
When You Might Get a Real Amazon Text
There are a few key situations where a text from Amazon is likely to be genuine. One of the most common is for package delivery updates, especially if you’ve provided a phone number for a carrier like UPS or FedEx. You might also receive a text if you’ve opted into One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for logging into your account, which is a great security feature. On rare occasions, their customer service might follow up via text if you’ve recently contacted them about an issue.
Spotting the Difference: Real vs. Fake Messages
This is the most important part. A real Amazon text will never ask for personal information like your password, Social Security number, or payment details. Be extremely wary of any message that includes a suspicious link to a website that isn’t amazon.com or a trusted carrier site. Legitimate texts are usually informative, not demanding. If a message creates a sense of urgency or fear about your account being closed, it’s a major red flag.
How to Manage Your Notification Preferences
If you want to control these communications, you can manage them directly in your Amazon account. Log in, go to Your Account, and find the “Communication and Content” or “Notification Preferences” section. Here, you can see what kinds of alerts you’re signed up for and adjust them to your liking. This puts you in control of how Amazon contacts you.
Staying informed is your best defense. By knowing what a real Amazon text looks like and what it will never ask for, you can confidently manage your orders and keep your account secure. Always remember: when in doubt, log in to your Amazon account directly through the app or website to verify any alert.
Leave a Reply