BBB Warns: Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams Before Prime Day

The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about a rise in online shopping scams just ahead of Amazon Prime Day. For shoppers planning to hunt for deals, this alert is a timely reminder that not every offer is what it seems.

What happened

In late June 2026, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) released an official warning noting an increase in scams targeting consumers preparing for Amazon Prime Day. According to the BBB, fraudsters are ramping up their efforts to take advantage of the shopping event, using tactics like phishing emails, fake websites, and counterfeit goods.

Typical scams include:

  • Phishing emails that appear to come from Amazon, urging recipients to click a link to “confirm” their account or claim a special discount. These links often lead to fake login pages designed to steal credentials.
  • Fake retailer websites that mimic Amazon or other trusted stores, sometimes with URL typos or slight misspellings. They may offer deep discounts on popular items to lure shoppers.
  • Counterfeit or never-delivered goods sold through third-party sellers who seem legitimate but have no intention of shipping anything of value.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals advertised on social media or via unsolicited messages, often requesting payment through gift cards or wire transfers.

The BBB has been tracking these patterns for years, and Prime Day remains a peak period for such activities.

Why it matters

For the average online shopper, the stakes are straightforward: losing money, having personal data stolen, or getting stuck with items that don’t match the description. In more severe cases, scammers can compromise Amazon accounts and gain access to saved payment methods or addresses.

Data privacy is also at risk. Phishing sites, once they have your login credentials, can be used to harvest additional information or commit identity theft. The scale of the problem is large enough that the BBB issued this specific warning in advance of the event, hoping to help people avoid common pitfalls before they happen.

No one wants to spend hours hunting for deals only to end up dealing with fraud or reporting a lost payment. A few minutes of caution can save considerable trouble later.

What readers can do

Here are practical steps to shop safely during Prime Day and other big sales events.

Stick to official channels
Always go directly to Amazon’s website or app rather than clicking links from emails, social media posts, or ads. Type the URL yourself or use a bookmark. The official site and app are the safest places to browse and buy.

Check sellers and reviews
Before purchasing from a third-party vendor, look at their seller rating, date of account creation, and read recent reviews. Be wary of sellers with few ratings or a sudden spike in positive feedback—those can be faked.

Avoid unusual payment methods
Legitimate sellers should accept standard credit cards, debit cards, or Amazon gift cards (issued by Amazon itself). If someone asks you to pay with prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, it is almost certainly a scam. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards.

Look for red flags in emails
Phishing attempts often contain poor grammar, urgent language (“Your account will be suspended if you don’t act now”), or sender addresses that look like “[email protected]” rather than a real Amazon.com address. Hover over links without clicking to see the real destination. Amazon does not ask for sensitive information via email.

Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication
If you have an Amazon account, ensure your password is unique and enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of protection even if your password is stolen.

What to do if you suspect a scam
If you think you have fallen victim to a shopping scam:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the transaction and request a chargeback if appropriate.
  • Change your Amazon password and any other accounts that use the same credentials.
  • Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you clicked a phishing link, consider running a security scan on your device and monitoring your accounts for unusual activity.

Sources

  • WBKO report on the BBB warning (June 22, 2026)
  • Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker and official consumer alerts

Stay informed, shop with caution, and don’t let a scam ruin your Prime Day savings.