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

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is just around the corner, and with major rival sales launching at the same time, it’s one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a seasonal warning that online shopping scams tend to surge during these events. If you’re planning to hunt for deals, it pays to know what to watch out for.

What Happened

The BBB’s warning, picked up by local news outlets like WBKO, highlights that scammers often mimic major sales events to trick shoppers. Fake websites that look nearly identical to Amazon, phishing emails that appear to be order confirmations, and social media ads leading to counterfeit sellers are among the most common tricks reported in past years. The warning comes as Amazon Prime Day 2026 launches alongside competing sales from other retailers, creating a wide target for fraudsters.

The BBB notes that many of these scams rely on urgency—limited-time offers, countdown timers, or “only a few left” messages—to push people into clicking before they think.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams don’t just waste your money; they can compromise your personal and financial information. Fake checkout pages capture credit card numbers, and phishing emails may lead to identity theft. During a high-traffic sales event like Prime Day, the sheer volume of legitimate offers makes it easier for fake ones to blend in. The BBB’s data shows that reported losses from online shopping scams have been on the rise, and sales events are prime hunting grounds.

What Readers Can Do

Here are concrete steps to protect yourself before and during Prime Day.

1. Stick to the official app or website

Only use Amazon’s official app or type amazon.com directly into your browser. Do not click links from emails, social media posts, or text messages, even if they look like they came from Amazon. Scammers spoof the sender name and logo easily.

2. Verify the seller

If you’re buying from a third-party seller on Amazon, check their ratings and history. The BBB recommends looking for sellers with a long track record and positive reviews. Be wary of sellers with very few reviews or those that appear only for the sale event.

3. Beware of deals that seem too good

If a price is drastically lower than everywhere else, it’s a red flag. Scammers lure shoppers with unbeatable prices and then either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all. Use price comparison tools from trusted sources to gauge normal pricing.

4. Pay with a credit card

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or gift cards. The Fair Credit Billing Act limits your liability for unauthorized charges, and many card issuers offer zero-liability policies. Avoid paying via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or prepaid gift cards—these are almost impossible to recover.

5. Watch for phishing emails

Phishing emails often have generic greetings, misspellings, or mismatched URLs. Hover over any link before clicking to see the real destination. Legitimate Amazon messages will come from a domain like @amazon.com, not something like @amazon-deals.xyz.

6. Use a secure connection

Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi without a VPN. If you must use public Wi-Fi, ensure the website is HTTPS (the padlock icon in your browser bar).

7. What to do if you get scammed

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge.
  • Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker).
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Change passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised.

Sources

  • “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day,” WBKO, June 22, 2026.
  • “Amazon Prime Day 2026 launches alongside major rival sales,” MSN, June 23, 2026.
  • Better Business Bureau consumer alert archives (bbb.org).

Stay alert, shop smart, and don’t let a good deal become a bad one.