How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Ahead of Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. With millions of shoppers hunting for deals, fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true offers proliferate. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about increased scam activity around Prime Day, urging consumers to stay vigilant.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your money and data safe.

What Happened

The BBB reported a spike in scam reports tied to Amazon Prime Day and similar sales events. Their warning highlights two common tactics: fake websites that closely mimic Amazon’s checkout page, and phishing emails that claim your account has a problem or a special offer is waiting. Both are designed to steal login credentials, credit card numbers, or other personal information.

The BBB’s alert, covered by outlets such as WBKO, underscores that these scams often appear weeks before the event, when excitement is highest and shoppers are less cautious.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are not just annoying—they can cost consumers real money and expose sensitive data. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing over $8 billion to fraud in 2022, with online shopping scams being one of the most common categories.

During Prime Day, the volume of transactions creates cover for fraudsters. A fake deal that looks like any other flash sale can slip through. Even savvy shoppers can fall for a convincingly designed email or a lookalike website if they’re not paying attention.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, falling for a scam can lead to identity theft, unauthorized charges, and months of recovery efforts. For most people, a few minutes of caution is a small price to avoid those headaches.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. Here are practical steps to follow during Prime Day and any major sale event.

1. Check the URL before you click.
Scammers register domain names that are close to Amazon’s but contain a typo or extra word (e.g., “amzon-deals.com” or “amazon-prime-day-offer.com”). Hover over links in emails or social media posts to see the real destination. If it doesn’t look like “amazon.com”, don’t click.

2. Use Amazon’s official app or type the address yourself.
Avoid relying on search results or advertisements to navigate to Amazon. Open the app or type “amazon.com” directly in your browser. This eliminates the risk of landing on a counterfeit site.

3. Be skeptical of unsolicited emails and texts.
Phishing messages often use urgent language: “Your account has been suspended” or “Claim your exclusive Prime Day deal now.” Never click the link. Instead, go to Amazon’s website directly and check your account messages there. Legitimate Amazon communications will appear in your account’s notification center.

4. Look for security indicators.
On any checkout page, check for “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. These indicate the connection is encrypted. While not a guarantee of legitimacy, their absence is a clear red flag.

5. Pay with a credit card or trusted payment service.
Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Payment services like PayPal can also add a layer of security. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—these are almost always signs of a scam.

6. Research third-party sellers.
Prime Day includes many third-party vendors. Check their ratings, read recent reviews, and see how long they’ve been on the platform. Extremely new sellers with few reviews and prices that are far below market average are risky.

7. Report scams if you encounter them.
If you spot a suspicious website or email, report it to the BBB’s Scam Tracker, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and Amazon’s abuse reporting team. If you do fall victim, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to attempt a chargeback.

Sources

  • Better Business Bureau – Scam alerts and consumer tips (bbb.org)
  • Federal Trade Commission – Consumer protection and fraud reporting (ftc.gov)
  • WBKO – “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day”
  • Amazon – Official security and phishing reporting page (amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201909250)

Stay alert, shop smart, and don’t let a scam ruin your Prime Day deals.