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Tech

The Scary Downside To Sharing Your Amazon Prime Password That No One Warns You About

January 28, 2019 by Justine Schwartz
shefinds | Tech
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Sharing your Amazon Prime password with someone who doesn’t have a membership seems like a pretty easy way to win karma points, right? They’ll get free two-day shipping without paying the $119 yearly fee, and as long as they use their own credit card, it’s no sweat off your back, right? They might even owe you a favor in the future.

“It’s great to share your Amazon account with people who don’t have access to Prime. Saves them money and makes you the hero right?” Burton Kelso, The Technology Expert, tells SheFinds.

Well–not so fast. “The challenge with sharing your Amazon Prime password, is it gives people full access to your Amazon account,” he warns.

So–what’s the scary reason why you should NEVER share yours?

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Amazon Prime logo on a colorful background

"Sharing password to services is not something we ever recommend as it can lead to unintended or malicious consequences," Todd Boutte, president of technology and operations at EVAN, tells us. "In the case of Amazon, any user with your password can lock you out, make purchases, add two-factor authentication, and essentially take over the account completely," he warns. Yikes!

But there is a way to safely share your Prime benefits with trusted family members he explains. "The best way to do so is through Amazon’s “Households” program," he advises.

Entering Amazon Prime password on a digital screen

With sharing passwords on platforms like Netflix becoming increasing popular, it's been normalized to do so. But, "Unlike sharing your Netflix account with friends and family where your loved ones just have access to to unlimited movies, people with your Amazon account can rack up purchases and you won't know about it until it's too late," Burton explains.

Another concern is the issue of your viewing data. "Everyone will see history and suggestions," Giacomo Balli, Technology Entrepreneur, warns. "Amazon prime password is your Amazon password." Wow, didn't think about that!

Amazon Prime Video password entry interface displayed

So, what should you do instead? "Prime is cheap enough for most folks, so instead of giving out your password, have them get their own account."

So--there you have it: the complete low down on sharing Amazon Prime passwords, according to our tech team. Let us know in the comments below: would you share yours with a friend?

Author:

Editorial Director

Justine Schwartz is a veteran women's lifestyle editor; she's written extensively about style & beauty tips, health advice and wedding planning. Her work has appeared in New York Magazine, Huffington Post and New York Weddings. Justine has been with SheFinds since 2010; you can reach her via email at Justine@shefinds.com.

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iPhone 17 on table with modern aesthetics.
Woman using laptop while relaxing at home.
Smartphone connected to charger on a desk.
Various iPhone apps displayed on a smartphone screen.
Close-up of male hands holding an Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.
User interacting with an iPhone in a casual setting.
Close-up of a hand holding an iPhone with visible apps.
Woman texting on a smartphone outdoors.
Android phone displaying various applications on screen.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 smartphone in a stylish setting.
Woman in jeans enjoying a fresh summer watermelon salad.
Person holding Android phone displaying various apps.
iPhone 14 showcasing multiple applications on screen.
iPhone screen showing charging settings menu.
Sony WH-CH720N headphones with iPad and laptop.
User interacting with an iPhone device.
iPhone displaying a selection of apps.
Notification of iPhone storage being full.
Individual holding an iPhone in hand.
iPhone home screen displaying popular applications.