Amazon delivery scam: As a tech journalist, I have this one warning for you

They knew what I had ordered, how much it cost, and even who delivered it. It was nearly enough to convince me to hand over an OTP.

As a journalist, and more specifically a tech journalist, I often report on various online scams. It is rare that I actually encounter one myself. But a few days ago, I came across a scam that genuinely shook me. I was not expecting it. I am usually quite careful with my online transactions, but this one almost had me fooled.

Beware of this Amazon Scam - the scammer might have a lot of details about you. (AFP)

By Shaurya Sharma

Shaurya Sharma is the Technology Editor at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he oversees technology coverage across digital and social platforms. With over eight years of experience across editorial, video production, and digital media, his work focuses on smartphones, AI, consumer gadgets, and shaping audience-first content strategies for modern tech consumers.

He began his career in 2018 as a fashion cinematographer before turning his lifelong passion for technology into a profession. From spending his childhood immersed in tech magazines, video games, and the latest gadgets to covering the global consumer tech industry today, technology has remained a constant throughout his journey.

Over the years, Shaurya has worked with some of India’s leading media organisations, including CNN-News18, Sportskeeda, and Guiding Tech, where he led video initiatives that combined strong editorial storytelling with engaging visual and social-first execution.

A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Manipal University, Shaurya has reviewed hundreds of products across categories including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and wearables. Beyond work, he is passionate about animal welfare, environmental causes, and automobiles, particularly turbo-petrol cars

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I am talking about an Amazon delivery scam in which the scammer knew alarming details. These included my cash on delivery order, exactly what I had ordered, how much it cost, the precise time it was delivered, and even who delivered it. It was nearly enough to convince me to hand over an OTP.

The order that triggered the scam

I ordered a JioTag Air worth ₹748 on Amazon India. I needed it for immediate travel, as I wanted to track my luggage, and it was delivered the very next day via Amazon Prime Delivery. It was a cash on delivery order. As I was in a hurry, I ended up paying the delivery executive via UPI. Everything seemed sorted.

However, the day after the JioTag Air was delivered, I received a call from a random person who claimed that he had forgotten to take the cash on delivery OTP from me and needed it to fulfil the order. He said, “Sir, please tell me the COD code. I forgot to take it.” At first, it sounded plausible.

The red flag that saved me

When the code arrived, I was almost ready to share it. But then I noticed that the SMS, which came directly from Amazon, clearly stated that it was an account login code, not a cash on delivery fulfilment code. That immediately raised a red flag.

I told the caller that I was not comfortable sharing OTPs over the phone. He insisted, saying that the code was required to fulfil the order and that even if I wanted to return the product, I would need to share it with him. I immediately opened my Amazon account and saw that there was absolutely no need to share any code. The product was already marked as delivered and was returnable without any OTP.

In a worst case scenario, had I shared the OTP, the scammer could have gained access to my Amazon account. This could have led to serious financial losses. I usually keep a decent amount of money in my Amazon Pay wallet, and had the person gained access, he could have siphoned it off or misused my saved credit cards and personal information to carry out a larger scam.

Key takeaways to stay safe

If you come across a similar scam, always read the SMS carefully. OTPs can be delivered via SMS or WhatsApp, and the purpose of the code is clearly mentioned, so pay close attention to that.

Next, always check the identity of the caller using apps like Truecaller. I did the same, and while the caller ID showed Amazon, the lack of a verification badge was a clear giveaway that someone was impersonating the brand.

Finally, no delivery executive will ever ask for an OTP or a delivery code a full day after a package has already been delivered.

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