If you’ve been selling on Amazon long enough, you’ll eventually face it:
A hijacker jumps on your listing, undercuts your price, and ships a fake version of your product to your customers.
It’s frustrating. It’s harmful. And if you don’t act fast, it can tank your:
- Star rating
- Sales velocity
- Organic rank
- Brand reputation
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to deal with Amazon hijackers and knockoff sellers — and how to protect yourself before it happens again.
🕵️♂️ What Is an Amazon Hijacker?
A hijacker is an unauthorized seller who lists their product on your ASIN (typically FBA or FBM) and pretends to sell your product — often a counterfeit, gray-market, or returned item.
They:
- Undercut your price to win the Buy Box
- Ship fake or low-quality versions
- Damage your product reviews
- Confuse your customers
- Trigger returns and listing suspensions
⚠️ Signs You’ve Been Hijacked
- The Buy Box is rotating or gone
- You see 1-star reviews about “wrong product” or “cheap copy”
- Your sales have slowed down
- Seller Central shows other sellers on your ASIN
🔍 Step-by-Step: How to Deal With a Hijacker
✅ Step 1: Confirm It’s a Hijacker
Search your product’s ASIN on Amazon.
- Are there other sellers listed?
- Are they FBM or FBA sellers not affiliated with you?
- Are they selling at a significantly lower price?
If yes — you’ve been hijacked.
✅ Step 2: Purchase the Product from the Hijacker
Order it directly from the other seller.
Document:
- Order ID
- Photos of the item you receive
- Comparison to your real product
- Packaging, branding, and UPC discrepancies
📸 These will be your proof for Amazon support.
✅ Step 3: Report the Seller via Brand Registry
If you’re Brand Registered, use the Report a Violation (RAV) tool.
Steps:
- Go to Brand Registry → Report Infringement
- Submit the ASIN, seller name, and proof
- Include order ID and photos
- State that this is a counterfeit or misrepresented item
Amazon typically removes the hijacker within 48–72 hours if the evidence is strong.
✅ Step 4: Escalate if Needed
If Brand Registry doesn’t act, escalate:
- Use the “Contact Us” form under Products & Inventory → Report a Violation
- Email notice-dispute@amazon.com with all your proof
- Attach invoice or GS1 certificate if UPC is being misused
🛡️ How to Prevent Hijackers in the Future
🔐 1. Enroll in Amazon Transparency
- Serial-number based authentication
- Only you can sell units with valid codes
- Hijackers can’t pass the check = auto blocked
🧾 2. Use GS1-Certified UPCs
Avoid using reused or discounted barcodes.
GS1 links your brand name to your product and prevents catalog tampering.
🛍️ 3. Monitor Listings with Alerts
Use tools like:
- Helium 10 Alerts
- Bindwise
- AMZAlert
These notify you as soon as another seller jumps on your ASIN.
⚖️ 4. Use IP Protection Services
Some sellers take it further with legal partners:
- Cease & desist letters
- DMCA takedown notices
- Brand gating (for larger brands)
✅ What NOT to Do
❌ Don’t price match the hijacker — they win the race to the bottom
❌ Don’t ignore it — 1-star reviews can pile up quickly
❌ Don’t expect Amazon to know they’re fake — you must report it
Final Thoughts: Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Amazon hijackers don’t care about your brand — they care about exploiting your success.
✅ Report violators quickly
✅ Use Brand Registry + Transparency
✅ Document everything
✅ Monitor your listings every week
If you stay vigilant, you can keep your listings clean — and your customers happy.
