A Viral Trap for Early Shoppers
If a video on your feed claims to show a secret hack for free Amazon money, don’t buy it. The Federal Trade Commission issued an urgent warning on Thursday about a rapidly spreading TikTok scam targeting early holiday shoppers. The viral videos promise hundreds of dollars in free Amazon gift cards by exploiting a nonexistent system glitch.
According to the FTC, the scam has gained massive traction throughout October 2026. With holiday shopping starting earlier than ever, scammers are capitalizing on people looking for ways to stretch their budgets.
How the ‘Exploit’ Actually Works
The videos look remarkably convincing. Many feature screen recordings of Amazon checkout pages showing order totals dropping to zero. Some even use realistic, AI-generated voices of popular tech influencers to explain the step-by-step process.
Typically, the presenter instructs viewers to visit a specific third-party website linked in their bio. To unlock the gift card, users are told to enter their Amazon login credentials and download several mobile applications, which they claim are “sponsored verification steps.”
But there is no verification. Instead, victims are handing over their account passwords. The downloaded apps often contain malware designed to steal personal data, while some trick users into signing up for expensive, recurring monthly subscriptions that are incredibly difficult to cancel.
FTC Steps In as Victims Multiply
“Scammers know that the pressure of holiday shopping can cloud people’s judgment,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “There is no glitch. There are no free five-hundred-dollar gift cards. If you follow these instructions, you aren’t hacking Amazon—you are letting criminals hack you.”
The agency reports a sharp rise in compromised Amazon accounts over the last two weeks. Many victims only realized they had been conned when they received notifications of unauthorized purchases or found themselves locked out of their accounts entirely.
TikTok and Amazon Respond to the Threat
Both tech giants are scrambling to contain the damage. Amazon spokesperson Julie Henderson stated that the company is actively working to identify and disable compromised accounts. “We have zero tolerance for these fraudulent schemes,” Henderson said. “Amazon will never ask customers for their passwords or require them to download third-party software to participate in a promotion.”
Meanwhile, TikTok has begun taking down videos using the scam hashtags, but new accounts are popping up just as fast. The platforms are playing a game of digital whack-a-mole, leaving consumers as the primary line of defense.
Protecting Yourself This Holiday Season
To avoid falling victim to these holiday exploits, the FTC recommends taking several immediate precautions:
- Never share login credentials: No legitimate promotion will ever require you to input your password on a third-party site.
- Avoid downloading apps to unlock prizes: This is a classic tactic used to bypass app store security filters and install spyware on your phone.
- Report suspicious videos: If you see a video promoting an exploit or glitch, use the platform’s reporting tool to flag it immediately.
If you think you’ve already fallen for the scam, act quickly. Change your Amazon password immediately. If you can’t access your account, contact Amazon customer service directly. You should also monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unusual activity and report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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