How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Amazon Prime Day: BBB Tips

With Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, many shoppers are planning to hunt for deals. But as excitement builds, so do the risks. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a surge in online shopping scams designed to trick bargain hunters. The advice is timely: scammers are already setting up fake websites, sending phishing emails, and posting fraudulent ads on social media. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely.

What happened

On June 22, 2026, the BBB published a warning through local outlets like WBKO, alerting consumers to an uptick in scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day. These scams are not new, but they intensify around major sales events. The BBB’s alert highlights common tricks such as phony retailer websites, unsolicited emails promising exclusive deals, and social media ads that lead to counterfeit goods. The message: if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Why it matters

Prime Day generates enormous traffic, and scammers exploit that urgency. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), online shopping fraud accounted for hundreds of millions in losses in recent years. The largest losses often involve purchases that never arrive, fake gift cards, or identity theft. The BBB’s warning serves as a reminder that a few seconds of caution can save you from weeks of stress and financial headache.

What readers can do

Here’s a practical checklist to protect yourself before and during Prime Day.

Know the common scams

  • Fake websites – Scammers create sites that look like Amazon or other retailers, often with slight misspellings (e.g., “amaz0n-deals” instead of “amazon”).
  • Phishing emails – You receive an email claiming you’ve won a discount or asking you to verify your account. The link leads to a site that steals your password or payment info.
  • Social media ads – Deals shared from unreliable accounts may lead to counterfeit goods or never deliver anything.
  • Too-good-to-be-true prices – A $500 laptop for $50 is almost always a trap. Common payment requests include wire transfers or gift cards, which are hard to trace.

How to spot red flags

  • Check the domain name carefully. Hover over links before clicking (on a desktop) or read the URL closely on mobile.
  • Look for poor grammar, generic greetings (like “Dear Customer”), and pressure phrases like “limited time only” or “act now.”
  • Be suspicious of payment demands via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards and trusted payment services.
  • Verify the seller’s address and return policy. If contact information is missing or vague, that’s a warning.

Safe shopping tips

  • Stick to well-known retailers. If you want to buy from a third-party seller on Amazon, check their rating and history.
  • Use a credit card (or payment service like PayPal) that offers purchase protection. Avoid debit cards for online purchases – they give you less leverage if something goes wrong.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account and email.
  • Monitor your bank account and credit card statements frequently. Set up transaction alerts.
  • Keep all order confirmations, receipts, and shipping emails. If a package shows as delivered but never arrives, report it immediately.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer right away to dispute the charge.
  • Change your Amazon password and any other accounts that share the same login.
  • Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker) and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you provided personal information, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.

Stay safe, not sorry

Prime Day can be a great opportunity to save money, but it also attracts bad actors. The best defense is to slow down, verify offers, and pay with methods that give you recourse. As the BBB puts it: “Don’t let the excitement of a sale cloud your judgment.” A little caution goes a long way.

Sources

  • BBB warning via WBKO (June 22, 2026) – news.google.com/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxOUVlRRzFxR2ZlWXA0ZG5rM3A5S21QUDczR3dpS21fSkdIVDRCaWIyUUp2bkJVeDJndWx0UEZ0Y0IyUzRkTlQ0dTM4cjJOb2VrNE1Rc3pFbWlrcVhDWVZ3WnFQZi0tYUFoWW5VVm9PZ0
  • Amazon Prime Day 2026 coverage – MSN (June 23)
  • FTC online shopping scam data – ftc.gov