9 Ways to Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day

Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, with millions of people hunting for deals on electronics, household goods, and more. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak season for scammers. Fraudsters know that shoppers are in a hurry and less cautious, and they use that to push fake deals, phishing messages, and counterfeit storefronts.

The good news is that most of these scams are avoidable. Here’s a practical look at what’s happening and nine steps you can take to protect your money and personal information.

What’s Happening This Year

Security researchers at PCMag and other outlets have documented a rise in scam activity tied to major sales events. Common tactics include:

  • Phishing emails and texts that impersonate Amazon, claiming there’s a problem with your account or offering a “limited-time deal.”
  • Fake deal websites that look nearly identical to Amazon but are designed to steal your card details.
  • Social media ads promoting steep discounts on popular products—clicking the ad leads to a fraudulent checkout page.

Some of these scams use professional-looking logos and urgency language to push you into acting before you think.

Why It Matters

If you fall for a shopping scam, you could lose money directly from your bank account or credit card. Worse, your personal information—name, address, phone number, and even login credentials—could be sold to other criminals. That opens the door to identity theft and further fraud down the line. The stakes are higher than just missing out on a good deal.

What You Can Do: 9 Practical Steps

1. Use the Official Amazon App or Website Directly

Bookmark the real Amazon URL and type it in yourself. Avoid clicking links in emails, text messages, or social media ads that claim to be Amazon deals. Even if the link looks correct, scammers can disguise malicious addresses.

2. Be Skeptical of Prices That Seem Too Good

If a brand-new gadget is listed at 80% off or a popular toy is suddenly available at a fraction of the normal price, pause. Scammers rely on that excitement to bypass your judgment. Compare the price with other reputable retailers before clicking.

3. Pay With a Credit Card, Not Debit

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. Under consumer protection laws in many countries, you have a limited window to dispute unauthorized charges. Debit cards often have less recourse and can drain your checking account instantly.

4. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Your Accounts

Enable 2FA on your Amazon account and any other online shopping accounts you use. This extra step—usually a code sent to your phone—makes it much harder for scammers to take over your account, even if they steal your password.

5. Watch for Phishing Emails and Texts

Scammers often send urgent messages like “Your account has been locked” or “Confirm your payment method.” Check the sender’s email address carefully. If it doesn’t end with @amazon.com (or a known domain), it’s fake. Never click links in these messages—go directly to the website instead.

6. Check Seller Ratings and Reviews

On Amazon, look at the seller’s history. New sellers with no reviews or a sudden spike in positive reviews that seem generic could be scam accounts. Read through a few negative reviews as well. If a deal looks good but the seller sounds suspicious, move on.

7. Use a Password Manager to Avoid Reuse

Many people reuse passwords across sites. If a scammer gets your password from a fake deal site, they can try it on Amazon and other services. A password manager generates and stores unique, strong passwords so you don’t have to remember them.

8. Monitor Your Bank and Card Statements Regularly

During Prime Day, check your transactions every few days. Look for small test charges that scammers sometimes use before making a larger withdrawal. Report any unrecognized charges immediately.

9. Know the Return and Refund Policies

Before buying, know the return window and process. On Amazon, most items sold directly by Amazon have clear return policies. Third-party sellers may have stricter rules. If a seller claims “all sales final” for an expensive item, that’s a red flag.

What to Do If You Fall for a Scam

Even cautious shoppers can slip up. If you realize you’ve given your information to a fraudulent site:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to freeze the card and dispute charges.
  • Change the passwords on any accounts you used, especially if you reused passwords.
  • Report the scam to Amazon and your local consumer protection agency. In the US, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Place a fraud alert on your credit file if you suspect identity theft.

Sources

  • PCMag, “Stay Safe This Prime Day: 9 Crucial Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams,” June 2026.
  • PCMag, “Think Before You Tap: Don’t Fall for These 9 Viral Social Media Scams,” April 2026.
  • PCMag, “Your Phone Has a Hidden Defense Against Scam Texts—And It’s Probably Turned Off,” June 2026.
  • PCMag, “Is That Holiday Deal Too Good to Be True? Here’s How to Tell If It’s a Scam,” November 2025.

Prime Day deals can be worth your time, but only if you stay alert. A few extra seconds of caution now can save you hours of hassle later.