If you see a charge from Amazon that you didn't make, act quickly. You have several ways to get your money back: dispute with Amazon, ask your bank or card issuer, and—for certain Prime enrollments—claim a refund from the FTC settlement. Here's what to do, step by step.
First Steps: Secure Your Account and Document the Charge
- Change your Amazon password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) using an authenticator app, not SMS. Go to Account > Login & Security and sign out of all devices.
- Check your Amazon order history for any orders, subscriptions, or memberships you didn't authorize. Look under Your Orders and under Memberships & Subscriptions.
- Screenshot everything—the charge on your statement, the order details, and any confirmation emails. You'll need this evidence for disputes.
- Contact your bank or card issuer if the charge is on a credit or debit card. Many issuers will freeze the charge and issue a provisional credit while they investigate.
- File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if you believe the charge is fraudulent. This helps regulators track scams.
Why Did This Happen? Common Causes
Unauthorized Amazon charges usually fall into one of these categories:
- Prime enrollment or renewal – Amazon has faced FTC action over confusing checkout flows that enrolled people in Prime without clear consent.
- Hacked account – Someone gained access to your Amazon account and made purchases.
- Third-party seller charges – A seller on Amazon's marketplace charged you through Amazon Pay, sometimes for something you didn't order.
- Subscription renewals – A free trial or subscription you forgot about renewed automatically.
Check your Amazon account for active subscriptions and cancel anything you didn't intentionally sign up for.
How to Dispute with Amazon
For orders sold by third-party sellers, Amazon's A-to-Z Guarantee may cover you. The general process is:
- Go to Your Orders and find the order.
- Select Problem with order and choose the reason (e.g., unauthorized charge).
- Contact the seller first and wait at least 48 hours for a response.
- If the seller doesn't resolve it, file an A-to-Z claim with Amazon. You generally have up to 75 days after the seller's response window to submit the claim.
The A-to-Z Guarantee covers eligible purchases up to $2,500, including shipping costs. It does not cover Amazon.com directly sold items—only third-party marketplace orders.
For Prime or subscription charges, contact Amazon billing support directly. Use the chat or phone option in the Help section. Have your order ID, the charge amount, and the date ready.
Amazon's internal dispute process can be faster than a bank chargeback, but it's not guaranteed. If Amazon doesn't help, move to the next step.
When to Go to Your Bank or Card Issuer
Credit Cards: Fair Credit Billing Act
If you used a credit card, the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) gives you the right to dispute billing errors, including unauthorized charges. To use this protection:
- Write to your card issuer within 60 days of the first statement that showed the charge. A phone call is not enough—send a letter or use the issuer's secure online dispute form.
- Include your name, account number, the charge amount, the date, and why you're disputing it.
- Keep a copy of your dispute letter.
- The issuer must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days and resolve it within 90 days.
You don't need to pay the disputed amount while the investigation is ongoing. However, if you don't dispute in writing within the 60-day window, you may lose your FCBA protections and be liable for the full amount (though many issuers have zero-liability policies).
Debit Cards: Regulation E
For debit cards, protections are different. Under Regulation E, you must report the unauthorized transfer to your bank within 60 days of the statement that shows the charge to limit your liability to $50. If you report within 2 business days, your liability is capped at $50; after that but within 60 days, it's capped at $500. If you wait longer, you could lose all money taken.
Contact your bank immediately. Many banks offer provisional credit within 10 business days (sometimes sooner) while they investigate, but this is not always required by law.
A chargeback can bypass Amazon if they refuse to help, but it may take longer and could affect your Amazon account. Use it as a backup, not a first step.
FTC Settlement for Amazon Prime
The FTC secured a $2.5 billion settlement with Amazon over allegations that it used deceptive interfaces to enroll people in Prime without consent. Some eligible consumers may receive refunds up to $51.
- Who is eligible? Consumers who used Prime benefits between 3 and 10 times in any 12-month period between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, and were unintentionally enrolled through one of the challenged flows (universal Prime decision page, shipping selection page, single page checkout, or Prime Video enrollment flow).
- How to claim? If you received a notice with a Claim ID and PIN, go to the official settlement site at SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com to file your claim. Some refunds may be issued automatically for certain low-usage members, but most eligible users need to file.
- When will payments go out? Amazon expects to send payments in late 2026. You can choose to receive payment by check, PayPal, or Venmo.
- Important: The FTC will never ask you to pay for a refund. Ignore anyone who contacts you asking for money or personal information in exchange for a settlement payment.
For more details, see the FTC's Amazon refunds page or contact [email protected].
Prevention Checklist
- Enable app-based two-factor authentication on your Amazon account.
- Review your subscriptions and memberships monthly.
- Remove saved payment methods after you finish a purchase.
- Use a virtual card number for online purchases if your bank offers one.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly.
- Ignore unsolicited texts, calls, or emails claiming to be Amazon about a suspicious purchase—these are common scams.
FAQ
How long do I have to dispute a credit card charge? Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you must send a written dispute to your card issuer within 60 days of the first statement showing the charge.
What if Amazon won't refund me? You can file a chargeback with your bank or card issuer. For credit cards, the FCBA gives you legal protection. For debit cards, contact your bank immediately and report the unauthorized transfer within 60 days to limit your liability.
Can I get a refund from the FTC settlement? If you were enrolled in Prime through one of the challenged flows and meet the eligibility criteria (used Prime 3–10 times in a 12-month period between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025), you may be eligible. Check the official settlement website for current deadlines and claim instructions.
Is this legal advice? No. This article explains your options based on general consumer protections and company policies. For specific legal questions, consult a qualified attorney.