Amazon Prime Day 2026: BBB warns of common online shopping scams and how to avoid them
If you’re planning to take advantage of Amazon Prime Day this week, you’re not alone. Major sales events like this one draw millions of shoppers looking for deals. But they also draw scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a rise in fraudulent activity targeting Prime Day shoppers, including fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true offers. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely.
What happened
The BBB’s warning, reported by local outlets including WBKO, comes as Amazon Prime Day launches alongside competing sales from other large retailers. According to the BBB, scammers are exploiting the shopping frenzy by setting up counterfeit websites that look like Amazon or other well-known stores. They also send fake order confirmation emails or text messages that contain malicious links. The goal is to steal personal information, credit card numbers, or login credentials.
Common tactics include:
- Websites with misspelled domain names (e.g., “amaz0n-prime-day.com”).
- Deals that are significantly lower than normal prices, creating a sense of urgency.
- Emails claiming there’s a problem with your order or asking you to verify your account.
- Sellers on third-party marketplaces who request payment outside the official platform (such as through wire transfers or gift cards).
The BBB notes that scammers often ramp up these efforts around major sales events, and Prime Day is no exception.
Why it matters
Online shopping scams are not new, but their volume spikes during high-traffic events when people are distracted and eager to save money. Falling for one can mean losing money, having your identity stolen, or ending up with a device infected with malware. Because Prime Day is a single, concentrated event, you may feel pressure to act quickly—exactly the reaction scammers count on.
The stakes are higher than just a lost purchase. If a scammer gets access to your email or payment account, they can do lasting damage. And while Amazon and other legitimate sites have fraud protection measures, consumers are often responsible for their own vigilance when it comes to phishing and fake websites.
What readers can do
Here are concrete steps you can take to protect yourself during Prime Day and other sales events.
Verify the URL before you buy. Scammers often register addresses that look almost identical to the real site. Look for subtle misspellings or extra words. For example, “amazon-prime-day-deals.com” is not Amazon. Hover over any link in an email before clicking to see where it really leads.
Stick to official platforms. Make purchases directly through Amazon’s app or website, not through links sent in unsolicited emails or texts. If a seller on a marketplace asks you to pay them directly via wire transfer, cash app, or gift card, that is a major red flag. Legitimate platforms have payment systems that protect both buyer and seller.
Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than debit cards or other payment methods. If you do fall for a scam, you are more likely to get your money back by disputing the charge with your credit card issuer.
Watch for urgency tactics. Scammers often claim a deal is “only available for the next hour” or “limited stock remaining.” While some legitimate deals also use urgency, high pressure is a common trick to stop you from thinking critically. Take a moment to double-check the seller and the website.
Beware of phishing emails and texts. A common scam involves an email that looks like it’s from Amazon, stating your order cannot be processed or that you need to update your payment information. Do not click links in these messages. Instead, go directly to Amazon’s website and log into your account to check for any notifications.
What to do if you think you’ve been scammed. If you suspect you have shared personal information or paid for something that never arrived, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company to report the transaction and request a chargeback. Change the passwords for any accounts that may be compromised. Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
- BBB warning on online shopping scams ahead of Prime Day (as reported by WBKO)
- BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker)
- Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)