How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Amazon Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning that fraudulent activity tends to spike in the days leading up to and during major sales events like Prime Day. If you’re planning to hunt for deals, it’s worth knowing what to look out for before you hand over your payment details.

What happened

The BBB’s warning, reported by outlets such as WBKO, highlights that scammers ramp up their efforts ahead of Prime Day using a few well-worn tactics. These include:

Fake websites that mimic Amazon or other retailers, often with URLs that are slightly misspelled (e.g., “amaz0n-prime-deals.com”).
Phishing emails and texts that appear to come from Amazon, offering “exclusive early access” or “limited-time discounts.” These usually contain links that lead to login pages designed to steal your credentials.
Too-good-to-be-true deals on social media, especially in ads or posts that redirect to unfamiliar checkout pages.
Fake customer service numbers that pop up when you search for help with an order—these can lead to callers giving away personal information.

The BBB also notes that many scams are seasonal: they disappear after the event, making them harder to trace.

Why it matters

During a sales event, the sheer volume of legitimate promotions makes it easier for fraudulent offers to blend in. Shoppers are often in a “deal-chasing” mindset and may click impulsively. According to the BBB’s scam tracker, reports of online shopping fraud typically rise by 30–50% around major retail holidays.

Beyond losing the money you spend on a fake product, falling for a phishing link can expose your email, saved payment methods, or even your Amazon account itself. Once a scammer has access, they can make purchases in your name or harvest data for future attacks.

What readers can do

You don’t need to avoid Prime Day entirely—just take a few extra seconds to verify before you buy.

1. Check the URL before you click
If you receive an email or ad promoting a deal, hover over the link (without clicking) to see where it really goes. Legitimate Amazon links will end with “amazon.com” or a localized version like “amazon.co.uk.” Watch for extra words or misspellings.

2. Use the official app or website directly
Instead of clicking a link from an email or social post, open your browser and type Amazon.com manually, or use the official app. This guarantees you’re on the real site.

3. Look for payment security signs
On any checkout page, check that the URL starts with “https://” and has a padlock icon in the address bar. Even then, be cautious: fake sites can also show a padlock if they use a free SSL certificate. The padlock is necessary but not sufficient.

4. Read seller reviews carefully
If you’re buying from a third-party seller on Amazon (or any marketplace), read recent reviews—not just the overall rating. Scammers sometimes “hijack” old listings with good reviews and replace the product with a counterfeit or nothing at all. Filter by “most recent” to spot complaints about missing items.

5. Be skeptical of unsolicited “exclusive” offers
Amazon rarely sends unsolicited emails with special links unless you’ve signed up for their marketing. If an email claims you’ve won a prize or have a “free” gift waiting, treat it as suspicious. Do not click.

6. If something goes wrong, act quickly

If you paid with a credit card, call your card issuer to dispute the charge.
Change your Amazon password and enable two-factor authentication.
Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the BBB’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker.
If you gave away account login details, contact Amazon’s customer service immediately.

Sources

Better Business Bureau (BBB) warnings on seasonal shopping scams.
WBKO report: “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day” (June 2026).
FTC guidance on online shopping fraud and phishing.
BBB Scam Tracker historical data on holiday-related fraud reports.