How to Spot Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: A BBB Guide

Introduction

Amazon Prime Day 2026 is here, and with it comes a wave of deals that can be hard to resist. But alongside the legitimate discounts, scammers are ramping up their efforts to steal your money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning on June 22, 2026, urging shoppers to stay vigilant. This article explains what’s happening and how you can protect yourself.

What Happened

According to the BBB, online shopping scams tend to spike during major sales events like Prime Day. Scammers use a variety of tactics: phishing emails that look like they come from Amazon, fake websites that copy Amazon’s design, and social media ads promoting unbelievable deals on popular items. The BBB’s warning, reported by WBKO, highlights that these scams often lead to stolen payment information, counterfeit goods, or never-arriving orders.

The timing is no coincidence. When shoppers are in a rush to grab limited-time offers, they’re less likely to double-check a URL or scrutinize an email sender. Scammers exploit that urgency.

Why It Matters

These scams aren’t just annoying — they can cost real money and compromise your personal data. If you enter credit card details on a fake site, the thieves can use them for further fraud. Even if you only lose the price of a cheap item, the hassle of disputing charges and securing your accounts is significant. For families already stretched thin, a lost payment can be a serious setback.

Beyond the financial hit, falling for a scam can erode trust in online shopping. The BBB’s goal is to help consumers avoid that frustration by knowing what to look for.

What Readers Can Do

Here are concrete steps to keep your money and data safe this Prime Day.

1. Go directly to the source

Never click links in emails, social media posts, or text messages that claim to offer Prime Day deals. Instead, open a browser and type in Amazon.com yourself, or use the official Amazon app. The same goes for other retailers running competing sales — type their URL manually.

2. Check the URL carefully

Scam websites often use addresses that look close to the real thing, like “amzon-deals.com” or “amazon-prime-day-offers.net.” Look for misspellings, extra words, or a different top-level domain (like .org instead of .com). Legitimate Amazon links always use “amazon.com” or a subdomain like “smile.amazon.com.”

3. Beware of deals that seem too good

If a price is 80% off a brand-new electronics gadget, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers lure shoppers with prices that are far below what the market supports. Compare the discount to the usual sale prices from verified retailers. The BBB notes that fantastic deals on high-demand products are a major red flag.

4. Verify the seller on Amazon

When buying from a third-party seller on Amazon, check their ratings and read recent reviews. Look for sellers who have been around for a while and have a solid history. New sellers with no reviews or only glowing five-star reviews might be fake. Also check if the item is actually sold by Amazon or a well-known brand.

5. Use a credit card or payment service

Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Consider using a virtual credit card number or a payment service like PayPal for an extra layer of security. If something goes wrong, you have a stronger case for a chargeback.

6. Watch for phishing emails

Scammers send emails that mimic Amazon’s order confirmations, account alerts, or deal notifications. Look for poor grammar, generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” and suspicious sender addresses. Hover over any links before clicking to see the actual URL. If in doubt, log into your Amazon account directly and check your messages there.

7. What to do if you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the charge.
  • Change the passwords for your Amazon account and any other accounts that use the same credentials.
  • Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you gave personal information, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports.

Quick Checklist for Safe Prime Day Shopping

  • Open your browser yourself, don’t click emailed links.
  • Check the URL before entering any payment info.
  • Compare the deal against known prices.
  • Read seller reviews and ratings.
  • Use a credit card or secure payment method.
  • Keep a record of your order and confirmation.
  • Trust your gut — if it feels off, walk away.

Sources

  • Better Business Bureau. “BBB Warns of Online Shopping Scams Ahead of Amazon Prime Day.” June 22, 2026. Reported by WBKO. Link to article on Google News

  • Federal Trade Commission. “ReportFraud.ftc.gov.” Accessed June 2026.

  • BBB Scam Tracker. “Report a Scam.” bbb.org/scamtracker.