How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner. For shoppers, that means big discounts and limited-time deals. For scammers, it means a surge in opportunities to trick people out of their money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about this predictable uptick in fraud, and knowing what to look for can keep your shopping experience safe.
What happened
The BBB recently reminded consumers that scammers ramp up their efforts in the days before and during major sales events like Prime Day. According to a report from WBKO, the BBB specifically warns of fake websites designed to look like Amazon, phishing emails that claim there is a problem with your order, and social media ads that offer deals that seem too good to be true. These scams are not new, but they become more common and more convincing when people are already in a buying mindset.
Why it matters
Online shopping scams can lead to more than just losing the money you paid for a fake or never-delivered product. Scammers often aim to collect enough personal details—such as your address, credit card number, or even your Social Security number—to commit identity theft. Because many shoppers act quickly during a limited-time sale, they may skip the usual checks like verifying the website’s legitimacy or reading seller reviews. That urgency is exactly what scammers rely on.
Falling for a scam also means dealing with the hassle of reporting it, disputing charges, and potentially freezing your credit. The time and stress involved can outweigh any supposed deal.
What readers can do
Here are concrete steps to protect yourself this Prime Day and during any online sales event:
Stick to official channels. Download the Amazon app from your phone’s official app store, or type amazon.com directly into your browser. Avoid clicking links from emails, text messages, or social media posts that claim to be Amazon offers. Even if the message looks legitimate, it is safer to navigate there yourself.
Examine URLs carefully. Scammers register domain names that closely mimic Amazon, such as “amzon-deals.com” or “amaz0n-prime.co.” Look for small misspellings or extra words in the address bar. A legitimate Amazon page will have a URL starting with “https://www.amazon.com” or a similar pattern for your country.
Look for the padlock and HTTPS. While not a guarantee of safety, a secure connection (the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar and a URL starting with “https”) is a basic sign that the site encrypts your data. Many scam sites lack this.
Be skeptical of “unbelievable” deals. If a product is priced far below what you see on other reputable sites, consider it a red flag. Scammers lure people in with discounts that are simply not realistic.
Use a credit card for purchases. Credit cards offer more robust fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If you do not receive your item or if your card details are stolen, you can dispute the charge and often get your money back. Debit cards do not always offer the same level of protection.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Amazon account. This adds an extra step when logging in, making it much harder for someone who obtains your password to access your account.
Check seller ratings and return policies. Even on Amazon, third-party sellers can be questionable. Look at the seller’s feedback, how long they have been on the platform, and what their return policy says. If they only accept payments outside of Amazon’s system, that is a major warning sign.
Monitor your accounts. After making purchases, keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. Report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
What to do if you get scammed
If you believe you have been scammed, act quickly. Contact your credit card company or bank to dispute the charge. Change your Amazon password and any other accounts that use the same credentials. Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and your local law enforcement if necessary. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovering your money and helping others avoid the same scheme.
Sources
- Better Business Bureau warning as reported by WBKO (June 2026)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines on online shopping scams