BBB Warns of Online Shopping Scams Ahead of Prime Day: What to Watch For
Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning on June 22, 2026, alerting shoppers that fraudsters are ramping up their efforts in the days leading up to and during the sale. If you’re planning to hunt for deals, a little awareness can go a long way in protecting your money and personal information.
What Happened
The BBB’s warning, reported by WBKO and other outlets, highlights a predictable but persistent pattern: as legitimate retailers promote deep discounts, scammers create fake versions of their websites, send phishing emails promising exclusive deals, and run fraudulent ads on social media. The goal is usually to steal credit card numbers, login credentials, or both. The BBB notes that these scams are particularly common around high-traffic shopping days like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.
Why It Matters
Online shopping scams are not rare. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, and a significant portion came from online shopping schemes. During a major sale event, the volume of legitimate promotions makes it harder to spot the fakes. A too-good-to-be-true price on a popular item, an email that looks official but has a slightly off domain name, or a social media ad from a store you’ve never heard of—each can be a trap.
Beyond immediate financial loss, falling for a phishing attempt can lead to identity theft. Scammers often reuse stolen credentials across other sites, which means one click could compromise your email, bank account, or even your Amazon account itself.
What Readers Can Do
Here are concrete steps to help you shop safely during Prime Day—and any other major sales event.
Check the URL before you buy.
Scammers often register domain names that look like the real thing but differ by one letter or use a different top-level domain (like .shop instead of .com). If you’re on a site that claims to be Amazon, the address should start with https://www.amazon.com. For any unfamiliar retailer, search for their official website rather than clicking a link in an email or ad.
Verify the seller.
Amazon itself hosts third-party sellers. Before purchasing, click on the seller’s name to see their ratings, feedback, and how long they’ve been on the platform. Be cautious of sellers with few reviews or recently created accounts. For sites outside Amazon, use the BBB’s website or Scam Tracker to look up the business.
Beware of pressure tactics.
Scammers often craft a false sense of urgency: “Limited stock! Only 2 left!” or “Exclusive code expires in one hour.” Legitimate sales may also use these phrases, but a scam site relies on them to make you skip verification. Take an extra minute to double-check.
Pay with a credit card or payment service.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, which can drain your bank account immediately. Services like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Amazon Pay add another layer between you and the seller. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency as payment for physical goods—those are almost always red flags.
Watch out for phishing emails.
Amazon will send promotional emails, but they will never ask for your password, Social Security number, or payment details via email. If an email asks you to “confirm your account” or “update your payment method,” don’t click the link. Instead, go directly to Amazon’s website and check your account alerts.
Report suspicious activity.
If you encounter a fake website or receive a phishing email, report it to the BBB’s Scam Tracker, the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and Amazon’s own abuse reporting page. If you accidentally provided payment information, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately.
Sources
- WBKO: “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day” (June 22, 2026)
- Better Business Bureau: Scam Tracker and official consumer alerts
- Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2022
Stay vigilant, take your time, and enjoy the deals—safely.