How to Report A Seller on Amazon (Essential Steps)

While Amazon is one of the most lucrative marketplaces, it is also one of the most competitive.

One of the worst things a seller can say is, “someone has hijacked my listing”, but it happens more often than you think. This is why every user should know how to report a seller on Amazon.

By not taking action, fraudulent users can quickly and easily destroy your reputation on Amazon before moving onto someone new.

Let me take you through some of your reporting options as a seller.

How to Report a Seller on Amazon

There are three main strategies you can use to report a seller on Amazon.

1. Cease and Desist Letters

Getting in touch with the scammer is one of the first steps you can take when you notice fraudulent activity. However, if you do this from your Professional account, you will probably find the Amazon seller does not respond.

The trick is to send the email from your Amazon Buyer account but also to be firm and calm.

Make it clear that you know they have hijacked your listing by quoting the ASIN number. You can also take it one step further by indicating you have other sellers willing to report them. All they need to do is remove the ASIN, and you won’t proceed with legal action.

2. Report the Seller to Amazon

The other option is to report the seller directly to Amazon, who will then investigate the matter internally. Unfortunately, Amazon can’t disclose any details regarding the investigation. Should they find the seller to be guilty, they will take action as they see fit.

To report the seller, login to your Seller Central account and click on this Report Abuse link. Select a violation type, supply all the necessary details and click submit. You will also need to verify that your email and contact number are correct.

The information you need to supply includes the Amazon store’s name you want to report, the ASIN or ISBN, details of the violation, and any supporting documentation.

3. Buy a Product from the Seller

This is the tactic I have found works the best as it produces the quickest results.

You want to purchase the product from the fraudulent seller and select the fastest shipping option. Once you receive the order, take some photos that prove it’s fake. The fact that it lacks your branding will be one of these factors.

You can now open a counterfeit case directly with Amazon as a buyer. Once you demand your refund, you will probably need to email the details of the order and your photos to [email protected].

Once Amazon picks up the fraudulent activity, they will more than likely shut down that seller account.

Related: How To Download Your Amazon Reviews

Amazon Seller Review Policy

Should you be left with poor Amazon reviews because another seller hijacked one or more of your listings, there is a way to correct it.

Unfortunately, in December 2020, Amazon removed the feature that allowed sellers to respond directly to customer reviews.

If you want to get rid of poor reviews that were left on your listing due to scammers, you will need to open a case via Seller Central.

Once logged in, select Account Settings > Orders > Customer Feedback Problems. You can now provide the full details of why you want the negative review to be removed.

If you reported a violation, Amazon would pick up on this, and it should help resolve the issue more quickly.

How Can a Buyer Report a Seller to Amazon

If you want to report a seller as a buyer in order to recover a hijacked listing or you are truly a buyer, there are two options.

As a seller wanting to report another seller, I recommend following option three that I mentioned above. This involves purchasing the product from the scammer.

If you are a buyer who is unhappy with their purchase, you can file an A-to-z Guarantee claim.

This allows you to request a refund if your order is different from what the seller promoted and you’ve already requested a return. The same applies if your order doesn’t arrive.

Buyers have 90 days to activate the A-to-z Guarantee, but only if you have attempted to contact the seller first. It should also be noted that Amazon only reimburses buyers for payments up to certain limits. This helps them cover any operating costs on their end.

If Amazon declares the seller to be at fault, their account is debited, and the refund is processed.

In Closing

In the end, as an Amazon seller, you will need to make peace with the fact that you need to keep an eye out for signs of hijacked listings.

If you catch them in time, you can reduce your brand’s damage and ensure Amazon continues to operate as a reputable marketplace.

If your account is deactivated or suspended for any reason, this is what you need to know.