How to Spot Amazon Prime Day Scams: BBB Shares Top Warning Signs

With Amazon Prime Day approaching, the Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about a predictable surge in online shopping scams. Criminals ramp up their efforts during major sales events, and this year appears to be no different. If you plan to take advantage of the deals, it’s worth knowing what to watch for before you click.

What Happened

The BBB recently alerted consumers to an increase in scams tied to Amazon Prime Day, which this year coincides with rival sales events. According to the Bureau, fraudsters are using a mix of phishing emails, fake websites, and social media impersonation to trick shoppers. The warning is based on reports from consumers and the pattern of past major shopping days.

Common scams include:

  • Phishing emails that appear to come from Amazon, often containing fake order confirmations, account verification requests, or “problem with your payment” messages. The goal is to steal login credentials or payment information.
  • Fake websites that mimic Amazon’s login page or product listings. Some of these sites are promoted through search ads or social media posts offering deals that seem too good to be true.
  • Account takeover attempts, where scammers use stolen passwords from other breaches to access Amazon accounts and make purchases or change account details.
  • Impersonation on social media, especially on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where fake customer support accounts reply to shoppers complaining about orders, asking for sensitive information.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are not new, but they spike during high-volume events like Prime Day. The urgency and excitement of limited-time deals make people less cautious. A single click on a malicious link can compromise your account or infect your device. Even if you don’t lose money directly, stolen credentials can be used elsewhere.

The BBB’s warning is timely. Sales events attract not only bargain hunters but also criminals who exploit the chaos. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing hundreds of millions of dollars to online shopping scams in recent years, and the numbers tend to climb around major holidays.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to avoid Prime Day entirely, but a few simple precautions can reduce the risk.

Before You Shop

  • Check the sender’s email address. Legitimate Amazon emails come from addresses ending in @amazon.com, not variations like [email protected]. Hover over links without clicking to see the actual URL.
  • Verify deals on the official site. If you see an unbelievable offer on social media or in an unsolicited email, go directly to Amazon (or the retailer’s website) and search for the same product. Do not click the link in the message.
  • Use strong, unique passwords. Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account if you haven’t already. This makes it much harder for scammers to take over your account even if they get your password.
  • Stick to secure payment methods. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or peer-to-peer payment apps. Avoid wire transfers or gift card payments, which are favorites of scammers.

While Shopping

  • Read seller ratings and reviews. Third-party sellers on Amazon can be legitimate, but new or no-rating sellers offering steep discounts should raise suspicion. Check the seller’s feedback and look for patterns in reviews.
  • Watch for lookalike URLs. The real Amazon site uses amazon.com or country-specific domains. A domain like amaz0n-deals[.]top is a red flag.
  • Don’t respond to pop-up messages claiming your account is locked. These are often fake. Close the browser and contact Amazon directly through its official help page.

If You Fall Victim

Act quickly to limit damage:

  1. Change your Amazon password immediately and log out of all active sessions.
  2. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the fraud and request a replacement card.
  3. Notify Amazon customer support through its official channels, not through social media.
  4. Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps them warn others.

Sources

  • Better Business Bureau (BBB) – Warning on online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day (reported by WBKO)
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Online shopping scam data and consumer advice

For more details on protecting your accounts, see the BBB’s official tips page and the FTC’s guide on avoiding shopping scams.