9 Prime Day Scams to Watch Out For (and How to Avoid Them)

Amazon Prime Day has become a major shopping event, but it also draws a flood of scams. Fraudsters know that shoppers are primed for deals, and they exploit that urgency to steal money, personal information, or both. It’s not just fake websites anymore—scammers now use sophisticated phishing texts, lookalike social media ads, and even direct account takeover attempts.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to avoid these traps. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and—most importantly—what you can do about it.

What Happened

Cybersecurity firms and consumer advocates report a consistent spike in shopping-related scams around major sales events like Prime Day. In a recent article from PCMag, experts outlined nine common scams that target shoppers during this period. Meanwhile, Google has been taking action against cybercrime groups that supply phishing toolkits, as reported in another PCMag story. The threat is real and organized.

Scammers follow the same calendar as retailers. They purchase fake domain names that mimic Amazon, send out mass phishing emails, and create social media posts promising impossibly low prices. Some even call or text pretending to be Amazon customer support. The goal is always the same: trick you into handing over login credentials, credit card numbers, or payment for products that will never arrive.

Why It Matters

For most people, Prime Day deals are a way to save money on items they already planned to buy. Falling for a scam can cost you far more than you saved—sometimes hundreds of dollars, plus the time and stress of recovering a compromised account. In more serious cases, scammers may gain access to your Amazon account and use stored payment methods to make fraudulent purchases.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, identity theft and account takeover can have lasting consequences. As more commerce shifts online, the line between a legitimate deal and a trap becomes harder to spot. Awareness is the best protection.

What Readers Can Do

Here are nine specific scams to watch for, along with practical steps to avoid them.

1. Phishing emails and texts pretending to be Amazon.
Scammers send urgent messages about account issues, payment problems, or exclusive deals. They include links that lead to fake login pages.
How to avoid it: Never click links in unsolicited messages. Go directly to Amazon.com by typing the URL yourself. If something seems off, check the sender’s email address—it won’t end in @amazon.com.

2. Fake lookalike websites that steal your credentials.
These sites copy Amazon’s design, often using domains like “amazon-deal-site.com” or “prime-day-offer.net.”
How to avoid it: Bookmark the real Amazon site. Only purchase through the official app or website. Look for “https://” and the correct domain before entering any personal data.

3. Too-good-to-be-true deals on social media.
Scammers post ads on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok that advertise massive discounts on popular items—often electronics that are genuinely hard to find at low prices.
How to avoid it: Be skeptical of any deal that seems unrealistically cheap. Check the seller’s history, look for reviews on third-party sites, and consider paying with a credit card that offers fraud protection.

4. Counterfeit products and unauthorized sellers.
Third-party sellers on Amazon may list knockoffs or used items as new.
How to avoid it: Read seller ratings and reviews carefully. Look for listings that say “Amazon.com” as the seller or are shipped directly by Amazon. If an offer seems unusually low, check the brand’s official storefront.

5. Prize or gift card scams requiring upfront payment.
A message says you’ve won a gift card or free item—but you need to pay a small “shipping” or “processing” fee first.
How to avoid it: Legitimate promotions never ask you to pay to receive a prize. Delete these messages immediately.

6. Fake customer support numbers and chatbots.
You search for Amazon support, find a number online, call it, and are asked for your account password or a payment to “resolve” an issue.
How to avoid it: Only use the official Amazon Help page or the “Contact Us” link within your account. Never give your password to anyone.

7. Package delivery scams asking for redelivery fees.
You receive a text saying your package is held up and you must pay a fee to reschedule delivery.
How to avoid it: Amazon does not charge extra for redelivery. Check your actual order status in your Amazon account before responding.

8. Account takeover attempts via password reset.
A scammer uses your email address to request a password reset and then contacts you pretending to be Amazon support, asking for the one-time code.
How to avoid it: Never share a verification code with anyone, even if they say they’re from Amazon. If you receive an unexpected password reset email, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication.

9. Fraudulent third-party sellers on marketplaces.
Some sellers create new accounts with few reviews, list popular items at rock-bottom prices, and then disappear after taking orders.
How to avoid it: Stick to established sellers with a long history of positive feedback. Filter by “Prime” if possible, as those items are handled by Amazon.

General Safety Measures

  • Use strong, unique passwords for your Amazon account and the email associated with it.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account under Login & Security settings.
  • Pay with a credit card rather than a debit card or direct bank transfer. Credit cards offer better fraud protections.
  • Monitor your account for unauthorized orders after Prime Day. Set up purchase notifications if available.

Sources

  • PCMag, “Stay Safe This Prime Day: 9 Crucial Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams,” June 2026.
  • FTC, “Online Shopping Scams” consumer alerts (ftc.gov).
  • PCMag, “Your Phone Has a Hidden Defense Against Scam Texts—And It’s Probably Turned Off,” June 2026. (Background on phishing text prevention.)

Prime Day can be a good opportunity to save, but only if you keep your guard up. Slow down, check the details, and trust your skepticism. If an offer feels off, it probably is.