How to Shop Smart and Avoid Scams This Father’s Day and Prime Day

The weeks around Father’s Day and Amazon Prime Day are some of the busiest shopping periods of the year. Retailers push big discounts, and consumers spend heavily on gifts, electronics, and household items. This year, spending is expected to set new records. Unfortunately, that also means scammers are running their own version of a sale — trying to trick shoppers out of money and personal information.

Here’s what’s happening and how to protect yourself.

What Happened

According to a recent report from WRAL, Father’s Day and Prime Day shopping this year is projected to reach record spending levels. With so many people hunting for deals online, the environment is ripe for scams. The same article emphasizes that consumers need to shop smart and be aware of common fraud tactics. The warning is timely: as more shopping moves to emails, ads, and third-party websites, the opportunities for phishing and fake stores multiply.

Why It Matters

When you’re in a hurry to grab a limited-time deal, it’s easy to click a link without thinking. Scammers know this. They create fake websites that look nearly identical to major retailers, send urgent emails about “exclusive offers,” and even set up fake customer support numbers. If you fall for one of these tricks, you could lose your money, have your credit card details stolen, or end up with a counterfeit product. Worse, some scams install malware on your device.

The financial loss might be small for some, but for many families it’s significant. And the hassle of disputing charges or recovering a stolen identity can take weeks.

What Readers Can Do

You can still enjoy the deals without becoming a victim. Here are practical steps to follow:

1. Verify the deal before you click.
If an email or social media ad promises a price that seems too good (like a $200 gift for $20), it almost certainly is. Go directly to the retailer’s website. Do not use the link in the message. Instead, open a new browser tab and type the URL you know is correct.

2. Check the website carefully.
Fake shopping sites often have subtle misspellings like “amaz0n” or “walmrt.” Look for a padlock icon in the address bar and ensure the URL starts with “https.” But note that a padlock alone doesn’t guarantee the site is legitimate — it only means the connection is encrypted. The real test is whether the site looks professional, has contact information, and uses a domain name that matches the brand.

3. Use a credit card or a secure payment service.
Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Services like PayPal or Apple Pay also let you avoid giving your card number directly to the merchant. Never pay with wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for retail purchases. Those are almost exclusively used by scammers.

4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your shopping accounts.
If your Amazon, eBay, or other retail account supports 2FA, turn it on. It adds a step when logging in, which helps prevent unauthorized access even if your password is stolen.

5. Watch for fake customer support.
If you have a problem with an order, find the official support number or chat on the retailer’s website — not by searching “customer service” on Google (which can show ads for fake numbers). Scammers set up numbers that answer with recorded messages asking for your card details.

6. Use an ad blocker and update your browser.
Ad blockers can help prevent malicious ads from appearing. Keeping your browser and operating system updated closes security holes that scammers might exploit.

7. If you suspect a scam, stop and report it.
If a site asks for more information than expected, or if the checkout process seems off, close the tab. You can report scam sites to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you already entered payment details, contact your bank or card issuer immediately to dispute the charge.

Sources

The information in this article draws on general consumer protection principles and the following news report:

  • Father’s Day, Prime Day to bring record spending. Here’s how to shop smart, and avoid scams – WRAL (June 20, 2026). Link to article

Stay cautious and enjoy the sales. The best deal is one that actually arrives.