How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: BBB Tips

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. With thousands of shoppers hunting for deals, fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and fake social media giveaways surge. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning ahead of Prime Day this week, urging consumers to be extra cautious. Here’s what you need to know to protect your money and personal information.

What Happened

The BBB recently published an alert about an increase in online shopping scams tied to Prime Day and similar sales events. According to the bureau, scammers are using fake discount codes, lookalike retailer websites, and urgent emails claiming limited-time offers. In many cases, victims receive a convincing message that appears to be from Amazon or another major retailer, with a link that leads to a fraudulent page designed to steal login credentials or credit card numbers. The BBB noted that these tactics are not new, but they become far more common during high-traffic shopping periods when people are less cautious.

Why It Matters

Prime Day draws millions of shoppers, many of whom are in a hurry to grab deals before they sell out. Scammers exploit this urgency. A single click on a malicious link can expose your payment details, home address, and even your Amazon account. Once scammers have access, they can make unauthorized purchases, change account settings, or sell your information on the dark web.

Beyond individual loss, these scams also erode trust in legitimate online shopping. The BBB’s warning is timely because the pattern is predictable: when big sales go live, fake offers flood social media feeds, spam folders fill with phony “Congratulations, you’ve won” messages, and ad networks sometimes fail to filter out counterfeit storefronts. Shoppers who aren’t aware of these risks are the most vulnerable.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to avoid Prime Day altogether, but a few simple habits can greatly reduce your risk.

Stick to official channels. Visit Amazon directly by typing the URL into your browser or using the official app. Do not click links in unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media ads, even if they appear to come from Amazon. Scammers are good at forging logos and sender addresses.

Check the URL carefully. Before you enter payment information on any website, look at the address bar. Fraudulent sites often use misspellings like “amaz0n.com” or “amazon-deals.net.” If the domain seems odd or doesn’t match the retailer’s official site, leave immediately.

Be skeptical of deals that seem too good. A brand-new PlayStation for $50? A luxury handbag at 90% off? These are almost always scams. If the price is far below what you’d expect, it’s likely a lure. Real Prime Day discounts are significant but not absurd.

Use a credit card or payment service with buyer protection. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or direct bank transfers. PayPal and other digital wallets also provide dispute mechanisms. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments for online purchases from unknown sellers.

Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping 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 second verification step (like a code sent to your phone).

Keep receipts and track shipments. After you make a purchase, save the confirmation email and note the expected delivery date. Regularly check your order status on the retailer’s official site, not from links in emails. If a package never arrives or you see a charge you don’t recognize, act quickly.

If you think you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and freeze the card.
  • Change the password on the compromised account and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your local BBB office.
  • File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if significant financial loss occurred.

Sources

  • BBB warning on online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day, reported by WBKO (June 22, 2026).
  • Federal Trade Commission guidance on online shopping scams.
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reporting procedures.

Stay alert, shop smart, and don’t let a fake deal ruin the real savings. Prime Day can be a great opportunity—as long as you keep your guard up.