Amazon Prime Day Scams: What to Watch For (BBB Warning)

Amazon Prime Day Scams: What to Watch For (BBB Warning)

With Amazon Prime Day just around the corner—scheduled for later this week, according to multiple reports—shoppers are getting ready for steep discounts. Scammers are also getting ready. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning on June 22, 2026, noting that fraudsters routinely ramp up fake deals, phishing emails, and lookalike websites during major sales events.

If you’re planning to shop Prime Day or any of the competing sales that have popped up this year, it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand the most common tricks and how to avoid them. Here’s what to watch for and what to do if something goes wrong.

What happened

The BBB’s warning, covered by WBKO and other outlets, highlights that online shopping scams spike around high-traffic sales events like Prime Day. The organization reported that phishing emails pretending to be from Amazon are among the most common threats. These emails often include urgent language—“Your account has been compromised”—or links to “exclusive deals” that lead to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials.

Equally common are fake websites that mimic Amazon’s layout. Scammers register domains with slight misspellings (e.g., “amzon-deals.com”) and run ads on social media or search engines to lure shoppers. In some cases, scammers post too-good-to-be-true deals on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, then collect payment but never ship anything.

Why it matters

Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, and the combination of limited-time deals and high consumer excitement creates a perfect environment for fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has consistently warned that online shopping scams are among the most reported types of fraud, with losses running into the hundreds of millions annually.

The stakes go beyond losing a few dollars. Phishing attempts can lead to identity theft, compromised payment accounts, and unauthorized purchases. If scammers gain access to your Amazon account, they may also access your saved payment methods, purchase history, and delivery addresses.

Another lesser-known risk involves gift card scams. During Prime Day, some scammers claim that you’ve won a gift card or that a “special promotion” requires you to pay a small fee with a gift card. Legitimate retailers never ask for payment via gift cards.

What readers can do

You don’t need to avoid Prime Day altogether. With a few precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk.

Stick to official channels. The safest way to shop is through Amazon’s official app or by typing the URL directly into your browser. Do not click on links in unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media ads. If a deal looks legitimate, open a new tab and go to Amazon directly.

Check the seller and the URL. If you’re buying from a third-party seller on Amazon, review their ratings, number of recent reviews, and how long they’ve been selling. Be wary of sellers with no history or poor feedback. On external sites, examine the URL closely for misspellings or extra characters.

Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases. Public networks are easy for attackers to intercept. If you must shop on the go, use your mobile data or a trusted VPN.

Use a credit card or a payment service with fraud protection. Credit cards generally offer better consumer protections than debit cards or bank transfers. Services like PayPal or Amazon Pay can also add a layer of separation between your bank account and the merchant.

Watch for red flags in communications. Generic greetings, poor grammar, urgent demands, and requests to click a link to “verify your account” are classic phishing signs. Amazon will never ask you for your password or payment information via email or text.

What to do if you’re scammed

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, act quickly:

• Contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge and request a new card if needed.
• Report the scam to Amazon through their official help pages. They can investigate fraudulent sellers and take down fake listings.
• File a complaint with the BBB (bbb.org/scamtracker) and the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov). Even if you don’t get your money back, reporting helps warn others and may assist law enforcement.
• Change your passwords for Amazon and any other accounts where you used the same credentials. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven’t already.

Sources

• BBB warning of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day – WBKO (June 22, 2026)
• Amazon Prime Day 2026 launches alongside major rival sales – MSN (June 23, 2026)
• FTC online shopping scam data and consumer alerts ( ftc.gov )