FTC and Amazon settle identity-theft assistance claims for $2.25 million

The Federal Trade Commission fined Amazon $2.25 million to settle claims that the company failed to help customers who fell victim to identity theft, The Verge reported June 30, 2026. The FTC complaint accused Amazon of refusing to provide customers with information about purchases made with fraudulent accounts. This refusal violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Identity theft victims who contacted Amazon often entered a sequence where a support agent would not provide records related to a fraudulent account unless they could name the person who opened it. In one instance, a victim attempted to guess the fraudulent account owner’s name over 30 times, but Amazon would not remove the victim’s credit card information from the thief’s account.

Amazon also failed to respond to identity theft victims’ requests for records within the 30 days required by the FCRA.

An Amazon spokesperson stated the company has resolved this matter with the FTC and implemented process improvements for customers who believe they may be victims of identity theft.