Amazon Wrongfully Banned My Account

Lrubybok on 27/06/2025 - 01:37
Last edited 30/06/2025 - 03:57

Amazon Australia has recently banned my Amazon account. I am not allowed to purchase any non digital items.

First thing that happened back at the end of February was that I was sent a package from Amazon. It had my name and address on it and I was surprised because at that point, I only made a few purchases online through my brother's amazon account (mostly things for the baby). I opened the package and it was a vibrator. I had no idea where or who it came from. No one in my family had any clue and so I called Amazon the next day. I explained the situation and I wanted to know who had sent it to me as it was very rude. The guy told me that due to privacy reasons he was unable to tell me whose account it came from. He offered to give me credit (into my brother's account) if I returned the product and I happily agreed.
Then, he suddenly said that I could just keep the product but still get the credit. I told him I didn't want it but he told me just to keep it.

Fast forward to June, I ordered two items. It said it was delivered to me but the photo clearly shows that it is not my porch! It was actually my neighbour's house but they claimed they didnt receive anything. I called Amazon and asked for a refund which they agreed to (since I didnt get the items!)

I received no refund and completely forgot about it until recently when I tried to make a purchase. It got cancelled straight away and I get an email saying that I violated their returns and refund policy. I have tried to appeal and explain the situation but they keep saying the same thing. I violated their policies so I cannot make any future purchases. I have literally called Amazon every day for the last 2 weeks but they won't do anything to help me.

Is there anything I can do?? I dont even care about the refund anymore but now I just want the money back because I am so annoyed at them. It is only $26 but it is still my hard earned money.

TO CLARIFY!
The guy at Amazon said that my brother was not the one who made the purchase. He was not allowed to tell me which account made the purchase but he credited the money into my brother's account since I didn't have an account and the item came to me.

Also, I will try chatting. I didn't even know it was an option until now.

Lastly, I am a girl so technically I could just use the vibrator but my point is that someone is trolling me and it must be someone who knows my name and address so I am a little scared. Again, my brother did not make the purchase as he was on holiday at the time. My parents don't speak English so I'm going to take them off the list of potential people who could have bought me the vibrator.

General Discussion

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Comments

  • snapper17 on 27/06/2025 - 02:48
    +13

    Sell the vibrator and keep the profit

    Open another account with different email ect.

    • Bobjarts948 on 28/06/2025 - 19:04
      +1

      Feel like there's context missing here. I ordered a treadmill off Amazon and the courier they use for bulky items is horrible. long and short of it, they eventually marked it off as lost and refunded after some badgering…treadmill showed up a week or two later AND I got the $1,300. Had same happen with some $100~ items before as well, never had my account suspended… Not sure if prime, or length of membership holds any weight though. Account is like 16yr old (was in the US originally).

      • MrMarket on 28/06/2025 - 20:46
        +1

        same multiple times I get a lot of stuff for free when it turn up weeks late over the years
        also claimed plenty of warranty and they shipped my stuff out express and I get them the next day

        but I had account since 2000 in the US when they was just an online book store and their technical books is heap cheaper even with shipping compared to buy them here.

        Never had any issues, they always super fast and prompt when I ask for help, refund or warranty.

        Still had the Simpsons Lego set unopened from some year ago, turn up 3 weeks late for some reason and they refund my money

  • randomusername2017 on 27/06/2025 - 05:06
    +72

    I dont even care about the refund anymore but now I just want the money back

    🤔🤔🤔

  • apsilon on 27/06/2025 - 05:35

    You can do a charge back to get your money but you're not getting your account back.

  • elgrande on 27/06/2025 - 06:04
    +35

    The guy told me that due to privacy reasons he was unable to tell me whose account it came from. 

    He offered to give me credit (into my brother's account)

    Case closed..

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 27/06/2025 - 07:59
      +23

      And he would have got away with it too if it wasn’t for the meddling Amazon cs agent

  • SBOB on 27/06/2025 - 06:55
    +11

    I called Amazon

    of your entire story, the most shocking part is that you;d contact them via an actual phone call, as opposed to their online chat :/
    (well, that and the fact it seems your brother ordered you a vibrator)

    • meong on 28/06/2025 - 08:48
      +2

      Why is calling them shocking vs chat?

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:50

      I didn't even know that chatting was an option.

  • Puglife on 27/06/2025 - 07:01
    +8

    And they say that a vibrator can't ruin lives….

  • slowlyslowly on 27/06/2025 - 07:03
    +11

    Contact Consumer Affairs in your state. It's $26, it could be $260 but the bottom line is Amazon doesn't get to decide Australian Consumer law. It will take you at least $26 of effort, but I get the principle and would do the same. Just because others have good refund experiences doesn't mean they can give you a bad one because their driver can't tell your house from the neighbours. I

    • Fredfloresjr on 27/06/2025 - 07:14
      -6

      Ffs just get a new account and move on. Do you really think CCA will do something huh. O yes the principle, go fight hard. Don’t forget to bring placards and banners on the streets.

      • slowlyslowly on 27/06/2025 - 07:20
        +6

        These guys have AI making decisions about peoples accounts. He was wronged, if the OP wants to spend the time to make it right he should. Would you let a theif steal $26 and then not care (well you might if you thought the thief needed it more than you, I doubt Bezos falls in to that category).

        • ricadam on 27/06/2025 - 14:01
          +1

          my brother's amazon account

          It's not even her account…

    • Eeples on 27/06/2025 - 11:20
      +3

      The money aside there is no way to compel Amazon to keep the OP as a customer. And why should there be?

    • paulojr on 28/06/2025 - 17:02
      +1

      OP Actually you were incredibly LUCKY, we had charges in the order of several thousand dollars hitting our credit card, I had to put in not just charge backs but both banks (had 2 cards on the account) had to put in merchant blocks on Amazon AU as they had linked the account "token" to their system (similar to when you sign a direct debt agreement but obviously illegal to do for online one off payments) meaning they can BYPASS you removing your card from their account or REPLACING your card with your bank (depending on your banks fraud protection level of course but we're talking major 4 banks here)

      Whilst we didn't have anything as exciting as your story they sent us photos of a package delivered to another persons house whilst we were out of the country!!!! We never ordered anything and couldn't even see the order on the account. We believe it was done on purpose as I think I might have upset one of the chat operators when they refused to help me out with a warranty issue on a totally different item. I also found my echo's blocked from connecting to Amazon after that "chat".

      Anyway charge after charge hit the account didn't stop until I had the banks cancel the account under the cards. This is why if I really must use amazon for whatever reason (usually because the family won't accept the position not to buy anything from those donkeys) I use gift cards only.

      I am thinking I should raise a consumer affairs case hearing your story. I totally agree with the above, don't just go and create another account coz end of the day its the same people with the same attitude behind the new account all hidden behind chat clients and no way to directly raise issues with them.

      You shouldn't have to pay for something you didn't order or where delivery was to another address. How Amazon has put us into a world where that's even a thing we have to debate I don't know!

      Oh.. and one last nail into Amazon. the item they claim we ordered was a echo.. which I think sells for like $99 on sale, but they were charging full retail on the "orders" like $300 or something like that. Suggests to me the idiot on chat just placed a few retail price orders bypassing the sales price after the chat to teach me a lesson for daring to ask for extra support.

      Hope all the prime users are enjoying the 2 minute ads. :)

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:50

      I agree. I'm just annoyed that it is my first order from my own account and I asked for a refund because I didn't get it and now I am banned from using Amazon.

  • Wiadro on 27/06/2025 - 07:18
    +5

    lol what
    Can you even call Amazon?

    • meong on 28/06/2025 - 08:47

      Yes you can. That is how i do most of my warranty issues.

  • Ocker on 27/06/2025 - 07:39
    +1

    Shop on eBay instead

    • test8888 on 27/06/2025 - 14:47

      this reminded me my 2nd ebay account got banned with $30+ GC remaining. chased support but was told GC is ebay's money not mine! so they refused to refund.

      oops, no time to dispute and already lost confidence with fair trading (helpless with other cases). so I've been working hard to get more back from them without feeling guilty.

  • fantombloo on 27/06/2025 - 07:45
    +7

    it was very rude

    Batteries not included?

    • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 11:25
      +1

      Square peg and all that

  • dust on 27/06/2025 - 07:54
    +11

    Complaining about a free vibrator isn't particularly OzBargain of you.

    • mskeggs on 27/06/2025 - 09:18
      +4

      It was a very rude one, apparently.

  • holdenmg on 27/06/2025 - 07:56
    +11

    "It's law. It's the vibe and ah, no that's it. It's the vibe. I rest my case.”
    (The Castle).

    • kraigg on 27/06/2025 - 08:44
      +1

      It's the vibe, or the vibrator in this case

    • Charmoffensive on 27/06/2025 - 11:09
      +1

      OP should quote Mabo in their defence.

      • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 11:10
        -3

        Now that you've got that out your system, exactly why would they do that?

        • Charmoffensive on 27/06/2025 - 11:44
          +1

          You've clearly never seen The Castle and should porbably spend your time learning to be an Australian instead of trolling ozbargain.

          • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 12:44
            -2

            @Charmoffensive: Couldn't get further way from the Kerrigan's than this story.
            Unless OP lives in Bonnie Doon, or has 5 cars blocking the driveway.
            BTW, I've got a full size movie poster of the The Castle ready to go up. When I say ready, since about 20+ years ago.

            • Charmoffensive on 27/06/2025 - 12:59

              @Protractor:

              Couldn't get further way from the Kerrigan's than this story.

              Oh, so the problem isn't that you didn't get the reference, it's that you don't understand jokes. Got it.

              • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 13:28
                -2

                @Charmoffensive: And everyone else is an argumentative SA ,but you? Got it.

                • Charmoffensive on 27/06/2025 - 14:27
                  +1

                  @Protractor: Nah, just you, jv and the other core group of perpetually online trolls who average 10 posts a day as a substitute for a social life.

                  • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 14:38
                    -4

                    @Charmoffensive: It's good to have over qualified volunteer class monitors like you, though, steering the ship from your lofty perch, away from your imaginary rocks. And thanks for showing concern about my social life though. I honestly didn't see it coming. Refreshing change.

  • Stealtho on 27/06/2025 - 08:06

    They do some weird things amazon.
    Order was 1000 spirulina Tablets, had purchased plenty of times

    Hello,

    Thank you for sharing the requested documentation in connection with the cancellation of your order 250-. Unfortunately, we were unable to verify your identity with the information you provided, so you will not be allowed to purchase the items we canceled.

    You may continue shopping in the Amazon store at this time, but if we continue to detect unusual activity in connection with your account or an attempt to misuse our services, your account may be subject to further order cancellations and other restrictions in the future.

    If you have already been charged, we will issue a refund for your order.

  • dylo on 27/06/2025 - 08:06
    +14

    These troll posts get lamer each week

  • jason101 on 27/06/2025 - 08:22
    +7

    I can only give my opinion as a small business owner, sometimes a new client purchases an item - they claim "not received", most likely 100% genuine. I send a replacement and they claim another error or issue - ie. damaged, not received again, wrong quantity, wrong item sent etc, depending on how aggressive or stupid they are (in the instance where they send photos of products we don't even sell claiming they received it from us) then are I either replace again or refund - if I refund, I then usually block them from further purchases - most likely most of these clients are completely legitimate but maybe 20-30-40% are scammers. As a small business its just not possible to loose 200-300% of the gross value of an original purchase (not the profit margin the gross sale amount) and continue serving some customers who on a probability basis are most likely to end up for whatever reason losing the business money. So I understand your frustration, but on balance - whether you're at fault or not, your activities have triggered their loss prevention pathway and they don't want you as a customer.

    BTW - I would expect everyone in my family to deny ordering a vibrator too if I opened one up and ran around the house at dinner time demanding to know who ordered it as well.

    • frewer on 27/06/2025 - 12:03

      Yeah, I would wait for them to be on bed and sneak in quietly to ask

  • pegaxs on 27/06/2025 - 09:03

    I had no idea where or who it came from.

    Yeah, rightio, champ. Your secret's safe with us… When the wife leaves the room, you can tell us the truth.

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:45

      You know I am a girl?

  • jv on 27/06/2025 - 09:30
    +1

    Ghost account…

    • Baysew on 27/06/2025 - 10:04
      +2

      Supernatural vibes.

  • Muppet Detector on 27/06/2025 - 10:08
    -1

    Why did the brother buy him a vibrator and why didn't he like it?

    • JimB on 27/06/2025 - 10:27

      Not sure why his brother purchased it but he didn't like it as it was too small.

    • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 10:34

      (1) They are a close family.
      (2) Diameter was insufficient & it didn't come with a rescue rope.

      • Muppet Detector on 27/06/2025 - 14:21

        Maybe they live in Qld and bought a rabbit. Not allowed to have rabbits in Qld.

    • JIMB0 on 27/06/2025 - 15:19

      Who says op is a he?

      • JimB on 27/06/2025 - 15:42

        You can't assume anything these days!

  • pwnd on 27/06/2025 - 10:18
    +1

    TIL that you can call Amazon about your orders
    In my 6 plus years using it, always used the online chat button and found it to be prompt and helpful.

    • jv on 27/06/2025 - 10:25

      TIL that you can call Amazon about your orders

      I've called them before about issues, but last time was probably over a year ago.

      • pwnd on 27/06/2025 - 11:31
        +1

        We have only ever used the chat button, even with issues, and have had overall good experience, with them proactively offering credits/gift cards for mistakes/issues on their end.

    • meong on 28/06/2025 - 08:49

      How is that people didn't know about this? I have been using the call feature more often than chat for warranty issues.

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:44

      Okay thanks! Will give the chat a try

  • Duckie2hh on 27/06/2025 - 10:25
    +1

    I received no refund and completely forgot about it

    Good job.

    It is only $26 but it is still my hard earned money

    Oh the contradiction

  • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 10:27
    +2

    New user. Same MO /structure in the last paragraph, just a few less questions. What a busy week.

  • mauricem on 27/06/2025 - 10:56

    Can you start a new account to same physical address without a new phone number?

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:43

      I'm going to try and see how things go

  • kaleidoscope on 27/06/2025 - 11:05

    Then, he suddenly said that I could just keep the product but still get the credit. I told him I didn't want it but he told me just to keep it.

    its their practice these days to prevent more stuff ending up on landfills as most returns take more energy and effort to put back into the system or go to landfills. Ofcourse it depends on category and price tag. Returning a product like that comes at extra effort from them to evaluate so its easier to ask customer to keep.

    ——

    On your other note, i’d have serious talk with your opportunistic neighbour about theft (if you have evidence to back it up) and might even leave some surprises at their door steps if they respond with rudeness.

    Lastly just create a new account and move on and if your neighbour continues to be that way, get a post box from auspost for deliveries.

    • jmc787 on 27/06/2025 - 21:49
      +1

      I'd imagine the market for second hand vibrators is rather limited

      • kaleidoscope on 27/06/2025 - 22:05

        Well not as second hand but even for change of mind returns they have to do checks. I’ve heard horror stories of people doing dodgy $hit abusing the returns process and almost destroying small businesses.

      • ihbh on 28/06/2025 - 16:12

        … but not second hand undies?

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:43

      I don't mind making another account but I guess I was worried that AI would detect the same address and then cancel all my orders again..

  • JimmyF on 27/06/2025 - 11:05
    +2

    Amazon Wrongfully Banned My Account

    Is there ever a rightlyful banned account thread?

  • JimmyF on 27/06/2025 - 11:07
    +2

    I dont even care about the refund anymore but now I just want the money back

    Are they not one and the same?

  • JimmyF on 27/06/2025 - 11:10
    +1

    I explained the situation and I wanted to know who had sent it to me as it was very rude. The guy told me that due to privacy reasons he was unable to tell me whose account it came from

    Your brothers or their partner appears to be missing a vibrator. Sent it you by mistake.

    Then, he suddenly said that I could just keep the product but still get the credit. I told him I didn't want it but he told me just to keep it.

    You seem a bit of a prude over this. You didn't pay for it, you even got a refund, then complaining about having to keep the product. Its a sex toy, they don't take returns.

    Honestly how hard would it have been to toss it in the bin and carry on with your life when you opened it. No need for the drama of getting a refund and demanding who sent it to you. Spoiler alert, it was your brother or their partner.

    • johnno07 on 29/06/2025 - 07:25
      -1

      You k ow that you can just put this all in one comment right?

      • JimmyF on 29/06/2025 - 08:40
        -1

        and what fun is in that?

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:41

      I just returned to Australia after living in Korea for 8 years so it is very very scary that someone knows my name and address and the fact that I am here. Also, my brother's account clearly states it was not the account that made the purchase so whoever was using my name and address is probably doing something dodgy and I won't just let them get away with it. Doesn't make me the prude

  • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 11:28

    This gift component is probably one of the most 'un-subtle' hints you can get.

  • Eeples on 27/06/2025 - 11:30
    +1

    Your brother’s account ordered the vibrator. It would be up to your brother to seek a refund or a return. Not you. Ask your brother for the payment method used to purchase the vibrator on his account. That is who bought it unless your brother’s account is unsecured. Either way suggest to him he changes his Amazon password.

    You need to show the picture of your goods on your neighbours porch to your neighbour. If he can’t explain what happened to your satisfaction don’t speak to him anymore. How are Amazon to know it wasn’t your porch in the picture?

    Your two Amazon incidents may not be related.

    • Muppet Detector on 27/06/2025 - 14:24
      +1

      If the neighbour has it, just listen outside their bedroom window.

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:38

      The guy at Amazon said that my brother did not order it but I will try contacting Amazon again to show that the picture is clearly not my front porch..

  • blitz on 27/06/2025 - 11:32
    +8

    If you didn't order it, why would they offer you a refund?

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:36

      He told me he would give me the credit if I returned it but then he suddenly just said that I didn't need to return it?

  • Dreamcast on 27/06/2025 - 11:41
    +2

    Maybe you bf ordered it?

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:35

      Single

  • bohn on 27/06/2025 - 12:14
    +3

    Hello, I am happy to help you with this one here today sir.
    Yes I can see that you account cannot make any future purchases.
    I hope this answers your question, have a great day!

  • Lets Go Brandon on 27/06/2025 - 12:35
    +1

    Any issues that fall outside the lines for the script monkeys you're gonna have a hard time with Amazon. Completely useless.

  • pharkurnell on 27/06/2025 - 13:13
    +2

    Troll Since
    11 hours 47 min ago

  • Cashy on 27/06/2025 - 13:25
    +1

    Put the vibrator back in the Amazon box and leave it on your neighbours porch, problem solved.

  • Nads2407 on 27/06/2025 - 13:55

    use vibrator?

  • faricity on 27/06/2025 - 14:22

    I had to create a new account under a different email address. Has worked ever since. The only problem is my mobile number is still tied to the banned account from my situation below.

    I got banned as I tried to use ever cent of my visa gift cards on a "New" amazon account. Got banned as I couldn't verify my gift card as they wanted proof of ownership or something. Couldnt do it as gift cards have "gift card holder".

    Eventually they stopped sending me the automated emails and the call centre told me to wait for the damn automated emails…

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:34

      Okay I think I will give that a go, not sure if AI will detect something again

  • Meho2026 on 27/06/2025 - 14:26
    +3

    The vibrator is a nice touch to the story but none of this makes any sense when you are actually using your brothers account.

    • bohn on 27/06/2025 - 14:38
      +1

      The touch of the vibrator is nice but none of this makes any sense when you are actually using your brothers account

      • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 22:35

        "Your brothers" what?

  • SpicyStew on 27/06/2025 - 15:23
    +1

    troll posts have gotten weak

    • Protractor on 27/06/2025 - 22:35

      at the knees?

      • SpicyStew on 28/06/2025 - 11:04
        +1

        and troll replies are just too corny

        • Protractor on 28/06/2025 - 11:39
          -1

          Almost as corny as you avatar stew.

  • JumpingUnicorns on 27/06/2025 - 15:39

    Sounds like you may have actually needed that first package

  • xslasherzz on 27/06/2025 - 15:59
    +2

    So which is it? Your account is banned or your brother's? And if it's yours that is banned, what's the purpose of vibrator story? It was refunded to your brother's.

    If it's your brother's, how do you become your brother?

    • rubybok on 30/06/2025 - 03:33

      Because Amazon said that I violated their policy MULTIPLE times but I have only ordered 2 items (at once) so I'm wondering if the vibrator issue was someone else using my account and doing dodgy stuff. Clearly they know my name and address.

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