How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning on June 22, 2026, alerting shoppers to a surge in online shopping scams tied to Amazon Prime Day. Prime Day, one of the biggest online sales events of the year, is a prime target for scammers who know people are looking for deals. The BBB’s advice is straightforward: know the common tricks before you click “buy.”

What happened

The BBB reported an increase in reports of phishing emails, fake websites, and social media ads that mimic Amazon’s official deals. Scammers send messages claiming there’s a problem with an order or offering “exclusive” Prime Day discounts that redirect to lookalike sites. These sites often collect payment and personal information without delivering any product. Amazon has stated that all legitimate Prime Day deals are available only through Amazon.com or its official mobile app, and third-party sites are not authorized.

Why it matters

During major sales events, consumers let their guard down. The urgency of limited-time offers can push people to act fast without verifying the source. According to the BBB, these scams can lead to stolen credit card details, identity theft, or receiving counterfeit goods—or nothing at all. The financial damage isn’t limited to the purchase price; recovering your identity or disputing fraudulent transactions can take weeks. Knowing the warning signs before you shop can save you money and stress.

What readers can do

Here are concrete steps to protect yourself, based on the BBB’s recommendations and common sense.

Recognize the common scams

  • Phishing emails. You might get an email saying your Prime membership is expiring, or that a “suspicious order” needs confirmation. The link leads to a fake login page designed to steal your password. Amazon will never ask for sensitive information via email.
  • Fake websites. Scammers register domains that look like Amazon (e.g., amaz0n-deals.com). The site may have misspellings, low-quality images, or a strange URL. Always check the address bar before entering payment details.
  • Social media ads. Some ads on platforms like Facebook or Instagram claim to offer Prime Day-level discounts on popular electronics. These often lead to fraudulent stores that ship counterfeit products or nothing at all.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals. If a new laptop is 90% off, it’s almost certainly a scam. Stick to prices that are reasonable even for a sale.

Red flags to watch for

  • Urgent language (“Act now!” “Limited supply!”) that pressures you to click without thinking.
  • Requests for payment through wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate sellers accept credit cards and services like PayPal.
  • Typos or grammatical errors in the website, email, or listing.
  • Sellers with no reviews, or reviews that all sound vaguely similar (a sign of fake feedback).

How to stay safe

  • Shop directly on Amazon.com or the official app. Manually type the URL rather than clicking a link from an email or ad.
  • Use a credit card for purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or alternative payment methods.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account and your email account. This makes it harder for scammers to take over your account even if they get your password.
  • Before buying from an unfamiliar site, check the BBB’s Scam Tracker or do a quick search for “[store name] + scam.”

If you think you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the charge and request a reversal.
  • Change your Amazon password and any other accounts that use the same credentials.
  • Report the scam to the BBB through its Scam Tracker. This helps warn other shoppers.
  • If you provided personal information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.

Sources

This article draws on the BBB’s warning issued June 22, 2026 (as reported by WBKO and other outlets) and on Amazon’s own guidance about authorized Prime Day deals. Additional information on common scam patterns comes from the BBB’s ongoing fraud prevention resources. For the most current alerts, visit the BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker.