How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Prime Day (BBB Warning)

With Amazon Prime Day drawing near—and major rival sales launching at the same time—the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a reminder that online shopping scams tend to spike during these events. On June 22, 2026, the BBB warned shoppers to stay alert for fake deals, phishing emails, and fraudulent websites designed to look like legitimate retailers. The warning is timely: according to MSN, Prime Day 2026 will run alongside competing sales from other large retailers, giving scammers a wider net to cast.

If you plan to shop during any of these sales, it helps to know what to watch for and how to protect your personal and financial information.

What Happened

The BBB’s alert, reported by WBKO, outlines the most common scams tied to major shopping events. They include:

  • Phishing emails that mimic Amazon or other retailers, often with urgent subject lines like “Your account has been locked” or “Exclusive Prime Day deal.”
  • Fake websites that copy the look of Amazon or other stores but use slightly altered URLs (e.g., “arnazon-prime-day.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals on high-demand items, often advertised through social media ads or unsolicited emails.
  • Counterfeit goods sold through third-party marketplaces that appear legitimate but deliver knock-offs or nothing at all.

The BBB notes that scammers exploit the urgency and excitement of limited-time sales, pushing people to click before thinking.

Why It Matters

According to the BBB, consumers collectively lose millions of dollars each year to online shopping scams, and major sales events are prime hunting grounds. Even if you don’t fall for a phishing email, you might accidentally enter payment details on a fake site or receive a defective product with no way to get a refund. The damage goes beyond money: stolen credit card numbers can be used for further fraud, and compromised accounts may lead to identity theft.

Because Prime Day now runs alongside sales at Walmart, Target, and other retailers, the attack surface is larger. You might receive a phishing email that mentions a store you actually shop at, making it harder to dismiss.

What Readers Can Do

You can lower your risk without much extra effort. Here are several practical steps:

Before clicking any offer or email link:

  • Hover over the URL to see where it really leads. If it doesn’t match the official domain (amazon.com, walmart.com, etc.), don’t click.
  • Check the sender’s email address carefully. Fraudulent addresses often contain extra characters or unusual domain endings like “.ru” or “.xyz.”
  • Be skeptical of emails that demand immediate action or threaten account closure.

When browsing deals:

  • Visit the retailer’s website directly by typing the URL into your browser. Do not rely on links from social media or email.
  • Research unfamiliar sellers, especially if you’re on a third-party marketplace. Look for reviews, contact information, and a physical address.
  • Compare prices across multiple trusted sites. If a discount seems impossibly high, it likely is.

During checkout:

  • Use a credit card rather than a debit card when possible. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection and don’t drain your bank account immediately.
  • Avoid payment methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—scammers almost always ask for these.
  • Enable purchase alerts or notifications from your bank or credit card issuer so you can spot unauthorized transactions quickly.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the charge and freeze the card.
  • Report the incident to the BBB (bbb.org/ScamTracker) and the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
  • Change the passwords for any accounts you may have used, and enable two-factor authentication where available.

Additional considerations:

  • Update your browser and operating system—older versions may have security holes that scammers exploit.
  • Use ad blockers and anti-phishing browser extensions, but understand they’re not foolproof.

Sources

  • WBKO, “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day,” June 22, 2026.
  • MSN, “Amazon Prime Day 2026 launches alongside major rival sales,” June 23, 2026.

Stay cautious. Sales are designed to move fast, but taking an extra 30 seconds to verify a deal can save you hours of hassle later.