How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. Scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning that phishing emails, fake deals, and lookalike websites tend to spike during this period. If you plan to shop, knowing what to watch for can save you money and frustration.

What happened

The BBB regularly tracks scam patterns and has noted a recurring increase in fraudulent activity surrounding major sales events like Prime Day. Their most recent advisory, published in June 2026, highlights several common threats:

  • Phishing emails that appear to come from Amazon, often with subject lines like “Your Prime membership has been suspended” or “Confirm your payment method.” These messages contain links to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials.
  • Ads on social media and search engines that lead to counterfeit storefronts offering deep discounts on popular electronics, clothing, or household items. The products either never arrive or are cheap knockoffs.
  • Lookalike websites with domain names that differ from the real Amazon site by one or two characters (for example, “amaz0n-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
  • Fraudulent customer service calls claiming there is a problem with your account and requesting remote access to your computer or payment for a “fix.”

The BBB does not release exact loss figures for Prime Day scams, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that online shopping scams overall cost consumers hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The pattern is consistent: when shoppers are in a hurry and looking for bargains, they are more vulnerable.

Why it matters

Prime Day is designed to create urgency. Limited-time lightning deals and steep discounts push people to click first and think later. Scammers exploit that same urgency. A fake deal on a PlayStation 5 or a fraudulent email about a package delivery might seem harmless, but one click on the wrong link can lead to stolen payment information, a compromised Amazon account, or identity theft.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, victims often spend hours disputing charges, changing passwords, and dealing with credit freezes. The convenience of online shopping can quickly become a headache. Knowing the warning signs before you add items to your cart gives you a real advantage.

What readers can do

You do not need to avoid Prime Day entirely. You just need to shop with a few simple precautions.

  • Stick to the official Amazon app or website. Type the URL yourself or use the bookmark you already have. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media ads.
  • Check the seller before you buy. On third-party listings, read recent reviews and look at the seller’s history. A brand-new seller with zero feedback offering a popular item at 80% off is almost certainly a scam.
  • Use a credit card or a payment service like PayPal. Credit cards offer chargeback protections that debit cards and wire transfers do not. Never pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or direct bank transfers.
  • Be suspicious of any email or call that asks for personal information. Amazon will not email you asking for your password, Social Security number, or payment details. If you get a message that looks official, go directly to your Amazon account to check for alerts.
  • Turn on purchase notifications. Most credit cards and your bank can send you a text or app alert for every transaction over a certain amount. That way you catch unauthorized charges early.
  • Slow down. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take an extra minute to compare prices on other trusted sites.

If you do fall victim, act fast. Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker), file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering your money.

Sources

  • Better Business Bureau – annual Prime Day scam warnings (June 2026)
  • Federal Trade Commission – online shopping fraud data and consumer alerts
  • WBKO news report on BBB warnings (June 22, 2026)

None of this is meant to scare you away from a good deal. It is simply a reminder that during the busiest shopping days, the best offer might be one you never click.