Amazon is generally a secure e-commerce platform that stores your information in your account, which you can only access using your email address and a password that you have set.
In some cases, Amazon would ask you to reset your password.
If you frequently use Amazon for shopping, you might have encountered this at one point, making you wonder what causes this.
We’ve looked into the common issues that can trigger Amazon to ask you to reset your password and how to potentially avoid them.
Suspicious Login Activity was Detected
Amazon would ask you to reset your password if it detected some suspicious activity in your account.
It could be that your account was logged in from a device or IP address that Amazon doesn’t recognize.
This issue occurs when you use a different phone or computer to log in from the devices you usually use. This can also happen if you log in from a different location.
When an account is logged in using a different device or from a different location or IP address, it triggers Amazon’s security system, which prompts you to reset your password.
Once you’ve set a new password, you can prevent this from happening again by doing the following.
- Log out of your Amazon account from all devices.
- Deregister old or unnecessary devices from your Amazon account by following the steps below.
- Log in to your Amazon account from your mobile app or browser.
- Navigate to “Manage Your Content & Devices.”
- Under the Devices tab, select the device you want to remove from your Amazon account.
- Click on “Deregister.”
- Clear cookies, cache, and browsing history by navigating your web browser and Amazon app settings.
- Use two-factor authentication.
When logging in to your Amazon account, avoid using a device that’s not yours, including public computers or even a friend’s phone. That’s because anyone who can access these devices will also get access to your Amazon account.
More importantly, use two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security to your account.
Two-factor authentication keeps your account more secure as it requires more than just a password to access it.
When you sign up for two-factor authentication for Amazon, you will be asked to enter a separate 6-digit code sent that will be sent to your mobile phone via SMS.
This code must be entered to gain access to your account, even if you have the password.
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Frequent Changes in Your Amazon Account
Another issue that can trigger Amazon’s security system and prompt you to reset your password is if there are frequent changes in your account.
This includes changing the primary email address or switching the account type from personal to business.
Suppose your primary email address has been changed several times in just a few days. In that case, Amazon’s security system will flag this as suspicious activity and ask you to reset your password.
When setting up your Amazon account, make sure to only enter an email address that you consistently use and avoid changing it unless it’s really necessary.
Suppose you need a business account for legitimate needs.
In that case, Amazon recommends opening it as a second Amazon account instead of using your personal one and changing its account type. This also helps you better track your Amazon activities as you separate the personal and business.
Before creating an Amazon business account, you must ensure that all your current accounts are in good standing and have no issues with them.
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Your Amazon Password Has Been Used on Another Website
Amazon may ask you to reset your password if your current one has been used on another website, which is a common issue with Amazon accounts.
A lot of Amazon users have reported being prompted to reset this password and getting this message from Amazon:
“We recently found a list of emails and passwords online. The list was not Amazon-related, but we know that many customers reuse passwords on multiple sites. As a precaution, we’re asking you to change your password.”
This issue occurs if you keep using the same password on Amazon and other websites.
While Amazon is generally a secure platform, other websites may not be as safe, which can lead to your account information and personal details being compromised. This includes your email address, password, name, security questions, and contact details.
This can also happen if you use a password that’s easy to guess for your Amazon account login details.
To avoid this issue and prevent Amazon from asking you to reset your password, it’s best to use a password that’s unique and difficult to guess.
Here are some tips on how to make a good password for your account:
- Keep the password long by using at least ten characters.
- Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Do not use your name in any form, such as first name, middle name, last name, maiden name, and even spelled backward.
- Do not use your birthday in your password, even if you type it in reverse.
- Avoid using common words.
Once you have created a strong password for your Amazon account, do not use this for other websites, including your social media accounts and any other platforms you log in to.
For added security, many cybersecurity experts recommend changing your passwords every 3 to 6 months.
This applies to your Amazon account and all your online accounts to keep them safe and prevent them from getting hacked.
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Final Thoughts
Amazon would only ask you to reset your password if its security system detects suspicious activity or a potential security breach.
To avoid getting prompted to reset your password, make sure that your account is secure by only logging in using your personal devices, using a strong password, and signing up for two-factor authentication.
Sources:
Why Is Amazon Requesting I Change My Password?