9 Ways to Avoid Shopping Scams on Prime Day

Prime Day is a magnet for bargain hunters — and for scammers. The same spike in legitimate deals also brings a flood of phishing emails, fake websites, and too-good-to-be-true offers designed to steal your money or personal information. This year, even a single careless click can cost you. Here’s what’s happening and how to protect yourself.

What Happened

Major sales events like Amazon Prime Day consistently draw fraudsters. Security researchers and consumer protection agencies note a sharp rise in scam attempts during these periods. Phishing emails mimicking Amazon, lookalike URLs, and social media ads promoting fake “doorbuster” deals are common. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warnings in previous years about such tactics, and there is no reason to expect this year to be different.

Why It Matters

Beyond losing money on a fake transaction, victims of shopping scams often expose their payment card details, home address, and even login credentials. In worst cases, scammers use this information for identity theft or unauthorized purchases. The financial loss can be small or significant, but the time spent recovering from fraud is always frustrating. Because Prime Day deals create a sense of urgency, shoppers are more likely to act quickly and skip the usual checks—exactly what scammers rely on.

What Readers Can Do

You can still take advantage of sales without falling victim. These nine steps will help you shop more safely.

Before clicking any link in an email that claims to be from Amazon, check the sender address carefully. Fraudulent addresses often contain extra words or misspellings (e.g., “[email protected]”). Hover over any link to see the actual URL. If it looks suspicious, open a browser and go directly to amazon.com instead.

2. Stick to Amazon’s official app or website

Avoid clicking links from social media posts, search ads, or third-party deal aggregators unless you are certain they are legitimate. It is safer to type the URL yourself or use the official Amazon app. Scammers often set up lookalike sites that appear almost identical to Amazon’s login page.

3. Look for the lock icon and “https” before entering payment info

Any page that asks for your credit card number should have a padlock icon in the address bar and a URL that begins with “https://”. That indicates the connection is encrypted. Do not enter payment information on a site that lacks this—even if the page looks professional.

4. Use a credit card or PayPal instead of a debit card

Credit cards and services like PayPal offer stronger fraud protection. If a scammer gets your debit card number, they can drain your bank account, and recovering those funds can take days or weeks. Credit card issuers are generally quicker to reverse fraudulent charges, and your liability is often capped at $0 if you report promptly.

5. Be wary of deals that require upfront payment or gift cards

Scammers sometimes demand payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift card codes. Legitimate retailers never ask for gift cards as payment outside of the checkout process. If a “deal” insists on an unusual payment method, walk away.

6. Check seller ratings and reviews—especially for third-party listings

Amazon’s marketplace includes many third-party sellers. Before buying from an unfamiliar seller, look at their rating, the number of reviews, and whether the reviews seem genuine. Be cautious of products with dozens of five-star reviews written in broken English or all posted within a short period—those could be fake.

7. Avoid clicking on pop-up ads or unsolicited offers

Pop-up ads that promise “90% off” or “limited-time flash sale” are rarely legitimate. Many contain malware or lead to phishing pages. Use a reputable ad blocker and never enter personal information into a pop-up window.

8. Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security beyond your password. Even if a scammer obtains your login credentials, they cannot access your account without the code sent to your phone or generated by an authenticator app. Enable this in your Amazon account settings under “Login & security.”

9. Monitor your bank statements and set up transaction alerts

Check your credit card and bank statements regularly during and after Prime Day. Set up push or text alerts for any transaction over a small amount (say $1). Early detection gives you the best chance to dispute a fraudulent charge before it grows. Most issuers allow you to set these alerts in their mobile app.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – “How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams”
  • Amazon’s official help pages on account security and phishing
  • Consumer reports from the Better Business Bureau on Prime Day fraud trends
  • Cybersecurity guidance from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

None of these steps guarantee absolute safety, but following them will greatly reduce your risk. Shop smart, stay alert, and enjoy the savings.