Don’t Get Scammed on Prime Day: 5 Simple Ways to Shop Safely

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a fresh warning on June 22, 2026, reminding shoppers that fraudsters ramp up fake deals, phishing emails, and lookalike websites right before the sales begin. If you’re planning to take advantage of Prime Day discounts, it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand the most common tricks—and how to avoid them.

What happened

On June 22, 2026, the BBB warned the public about an increase in online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day. According to the alert, scammers are using several familiar tactics: phishing emails that claim to offer early access or exclusive discounts, fake websites that mimic Amazon’s login page, and social media ads for unbelievable deals that lead to fraudulent storefronts. The BBB noted that these scams often work because people let their guard down during high-pressure sales events.

Why it matters

Prime Day draws millions of shoppers looking for bargains, and that heavy traffic is exactly what scammers rely on. They know that a sense of urgency—limited-time deals, countdown timers—can make even careful buyers click a suspicious link or enter payment information on a fake site. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers lost more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2024, and shopping scams were among the top categories. A single mistake during a flash sale can cost you money, your account credentials, or both.

The scams aren’t limited to Amazon itself. Many fraudulent sellers set up shop on third-party platforms, or use Amazon’s own marketplace to list counterfeit goods. Others bypass the official site entirely, directing shoppers to separate payment pages that harvest credit card numbers.

What readers can do

You don’t need to avoid Prime Day entirely. Here are five concrete steps that reduce your risk:

1. Use the official Amazon app or type the URL directly.
Phishing emails often link to sites like amaz0n-prime-deals.com or amzn-earlyaccess.net. Instead of clicking a link in an email or text, open the Amazon app on your phone or type amazon.com into your browser manually. That way you know you’re on the real site.

2. Scrutinize the seller, not just the price.
On Amazon’s marketplace, check the seller’s name, rating, and number of reviews. Be wary of sellers with few reviews or names that look like random strings of letters. If a deal is significantly cheaper than other listings for the same item, it could be counterfeit or a scam.

3. Avoid paying with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Legitimate retailers never ask you to pay with a gift card or send money through services like Western Union. If a seller insists on one of these methods, it’s a red flag. Use a credit card when possible; you have stronger fraud protection than with a debit card.

4. Watch for phishing emails that create false urgency.
Scammers send emails with subject lines like “Your Prime Early Access is Expiring” or “Verify your account to get the deal.” These often include a link to a fake login page. Check the sender’s email address carefully—if it doesn’t end in @amazon.com, delete it.

5. If something goes wrong, act fast.
If you believe you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the BBB’s Scam Tracker. The sooner you report, the better the chance of recovering your money and helping others avoid the same trap.

Sources

  • BBB warning issued June 22, 2026 (reported by WBKO).
  • Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Sentinel Network data for 2024.
  • BBB Scam Tracker – tips on identifying fraudulent shopping offers.

Prime Day can still be a good opportunity to save money—as long as you stay alert. By sticking to official channels and questioning anything that feels off, you’ll keep your accounts and your wallet safe.