How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: A BBB Guide
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is almost here, and with it come steep discounts—and a spike in scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning on June 22, 2026, urging shoppers to stay alert as fraudulent offers, phishing emails, and counterfeit sellers ramp up activity around this major sales event.
If you’re planning to shop during Prime Day or any of the competing sales that launch simultaneously, knowing how to spot the traps can save you money and personal information. Here’s what you need to know.
What Happened
On June 22, 2026, the BBB released a consumer alert about online shopping scams tied to Amazon Prime Day. As reported by WBKO, the bureau warned that scammers are taking advantage of the surge in online shopping by creating fake websites, sending deceptive emails, and running social media ads for counterfeit products. The warning came just ahead of Prime Day’s launch, which this year coincides with major rival sales—giving fraudsters even more cover to impersonate well-known retailers.
The BBB’s Scam Tracker has already logged an uptick in reports involving too-good-to-be-true deals, phony order confirmations, and requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers. These patterns are consistent with past Prime Day cycles, and the bureau expects them to intensify.
Why It Matters
Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. Millions of consumers will be searching for bargains, and scammers know that urgency and excitement lower people’s guard. A single click on a fake deal can lead to stolen credit card numbers, compromised accounts, or packages that never arrive.
The financial impact can be significant. According to the BBB’s 2025 Scam Tracker Risk Report, online purchase scams were among the most-reported fraud types, with a median loss of about $150. But the risk goes beyond money: phishing emails may ask for login credentials or personal details that can be used for identity theft. Counterfeit goods may be unsafe, especially electronics or cosmetics.
Because Prime Day is a single-day event (though sometimes stretched to two), scammers create a false sense of urgency: “Sale ends tonight!” or “Only 5 left!” That pressure is designed to make you act without verifying the seller or the website.
What Readers Can Do
You don’t need to avoid shopping entirely, but a few precautions will dramatically lower your chances of being scammed.
Stick to official apps and websites. Go directly to Amazon.com or the retailer’s official app rather than clicking links from emails, social media posts, or search ads. Bookmark the real site. If an email claims to be from Amazon, do not click any links—open a new tab and log in to your account to check for messages.
Check the seller before you buy. On Amazon, look at the seller’s name, rating, and how long they’ve been in business. Be cautious of listings from new sellers with few reviews, especially if the price is far below the market rate. Third-party sellers are legitimate, but counterfeit goods are more common from unverified accounts.
Watch for urgent payment requests. Scammers often demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. No legitimate retailer will ask you to pay with these methods. Use a credit card whenever possible—it offers better fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps.
Inspect URLs and email addresses. Phishing emails often have slight misspellings or extra words in the domain (e.g., “amaz0n-deals.com” or “amazon-support-verify.com”). Hover over any link before clicking to see where it really goes. If the domain doesn’t match the retailer’s real address, it’s a red flag.
Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security. Even if a scammer gets your password, they won’t be able to log in without the code sent to your phone or authenticator app.
Report scams. If you encounter a suspicious offer, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What to Do If You Are Scammed
If you realize you’ve been tricked, act quickly. Contact your credit card issuer or bank immediately to dispute the charge. Change the password on any compromised accounts. If you shared personal information, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file through one of the three major credit bureaus. And finally, report the incident to the BBB and the FTC—your report may help prevent others from falling for the same scheme.
Prime Day can still be a great time to find genuine deals. The key is to shop with the same skepticism you’d bring to a stranger offering a huge discount on a street corner. Slow down, verify, and use secure payment methods. Stay vigilant, and you’ll likely end up with the products you want—not a headache.
Sources
- BBB Warning via WBKO: “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day” (June 22, 2026)
- BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report (2025)
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov