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

Amazon Prime Day is around the corner, and while shoppers look for deals, scammers are preparing their own offers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a predictable surge in online shopping scams during major sales events. If you plan to shop this Prime Day, it helps to know what to watch for before you click “buy.”

What Happened

The BBB recently warned consumers about an increase in fraudulent activity tied to Amazon Prime Day and similar retail events. According to reports, scammers use tactics like phishing emails, fake websites that mimic major retailers, and social media ads promoting counterfeit goods at steep discounts. Some even set up fake customer service numbers to steal payment details after a purchase.

These scams are not new, but they intensify during high-traffic shopping periods when people are more likely to let their guard down. The BBB’s alert (originally reported by WBKO in June 2026) emphasizes that the same patterns repeat each year: unrealistic deals, unsolicited messages, and pressure to act quickly.

Why It Matters

The financial damage from online shopping scams is significant. Victims can lose money directly through fraudulent purchases or indirectly through identity theft. Beyond the immediate loss, dealing with compromised accounts and stolen information takes time and stress. For many, a too-good-to-be-true deal ends up costing far more than the supposed savings.

Scammers also exploit the trust consumers place in well-known brands like Amazon. Fake websites may look nearly identical to the real thing, complete with logos and product listings. Shoppers who are not careful may enter their credit card information on a site that exists only to collect it.

What Readers Can Do

Here are practical steps, based on BBB advice and general online safety practices, to reduce your risk during Prime Day and any other sale event.

1. Verify the website address before you enter payment details.
Scammers often register domain names that are one letter off from the real store. Check the URL bar carefully. If you receive a link in an email or a social media post, type the address into your browser manually instead of clicking.

2. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
A new laptop for 90% off is almost certainly a scam. Scammers lure shoppers with prices that are impossible for legitimate sellers to match. If you see a price far below what other retailers are offering, pause and investigate.

3. Watch for phishing emails and fake shipping notifications.
During Prime Day, expect an increase in emails that appear to be from Amazon or other retailers. These messages often contain urgency—“Your account has been suspended” or “There is a problem with your delivery”—and ask you to click a link or provide personal information. Legitimate companies do not ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email.

4. Research the seller, especially on third-party marketplaces.
If you are buying from an unfamiliar seller on Amazon or another platform, check their ratings and read recent customer reviews. Look for red flags like vague product descriptions, no return policy, or a history of complaints about non-delivery.

5. Use a credit card for online purchases.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If a purchase goes wrong, you can dispute the charge with the card issuer. Avoid wiring money or using prepaid gift cards, which scammers often request because they are nearly impossible to trace.

6. Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi.
Public networks are easier for attackers to intercept. If you must shop while away from home, use a mobile data connection or a trusted VPN. Even then, it is safer to wait until you are on a private network.

7. Keep your software and devices updated.
Phones, computers, and browsers receive security patches regularly. Make sure updates are installed before you start shopping.

What to Do If You Encounter a Scam

If you suspect you have been targeted or already lost money, act quickly.

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to stop payment and request a new card if needed.
  • Change your passwords, especially for the affected retailer account and any other accounts that use the same password.
  • Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to Amazon if the fraud involves their platform.
  • Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the following weeks.

Even if you only clicked a link without entering information, it is worth running a security scan on your device and enabling two-factor authentication on important accounts.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe

Prime Day can be a good time to save money, but only if you shop carefully. The same tactics scammers use every year will return, and being aware of them is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that feeling. A legitimate deal will still be there tomorrow; a scam only wants your money today.

Sources:

  • BBB warning reported by WBKO (June 2026)
  • Better Business Bureau – Scam Tracker and consumer alerts
  • Federal Trade Commission – Online shopping fraud guidance