How to Spot Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: Tips from the BBB

Amazon Prime Day is here, and along with the wave of legitimate deals comes a predictable surge in shopping scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning, reminding consumers that scammers capitalize on the excitement of major sales events. If you’re planning to shop this week, knowing what to look for can save you money and frustration.

What’s happening

On June 22 and 23, 2026, multiple local news outlets reported that the BBB is alerting shoppers about an increase in phishing emails, fake websites, and too-good-to-be-true offers timed to Prime Day. The warnings are consistent with previous years—scammers use the event’s urgency to trick people into clicking malicious links or entering payment details on lookalike sites.

Common tactics include:

  • Phishing emails that mimic Amazon order confirmations, account suspension notices, or prize notifications. These often use urgent subject lines like “Action Required” or “Your Order Has Been Placed.”
  • Fake websites with slightly misspelled domains such as “amazn-deals.com” or “prime-offers.net.” Some lack valid SSL certificates (no padlock icon).
  • Social media ads promoting discounts that seem too steep to be real—$50 for a new tablet, for example.
  • Unsolicited texts or calls claiming you’ve won a gift card or need to verify your account.

The BBB notes that scammers have grown more sophisticated, sometimes using official-looking logos and email templates that are hard to distinguish from the real thing.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not just about losing a few dollars. Victims often have their payment information stolen, leading to unauthorized charges that can take weeks to resolve. In more serious cases, identity theft follows when scammers collect enough personal data.

Prime Day is particularly risky because shoppers are in a hurry, expecting limited-time offers, and may not check each link carefully. The volume of transactions also makes it harder for platforms to flag every fraudulent listing immediately. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing over $300 million to online shopping scams in 2025 alone, with events like Prime Day being peak periods for complaints.

What you can do

You don’t need to skip the sales—just take a few precautions before clicking “buy.”

Stick to official channels. Download the Amazon app directly from your phone’s official store. Type Amazon.com into your browser yourself rather than clicking a link from an email or ad.

Check the URL carefully. Look for the correct spelling and a padlock icon. Fraudulent sites often use “amzon,” “amazn,” or add extra words like “deals” or “offers.”

Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections. If a scammer gets your debit card number, they can drain your bank account directly.

Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account and your email. This adds a second step to logins, making it harder for scammers to access your account even if they steal your password.

Beware of generic greetings. Emails that start with “Dear Customer” or “Dear User” instead of your name are often phishing attempts. Amazon typically addresses you by name.

Watch for unrealistic discounts. If a deal seems too good to be true—especially from an unfamiliar seller—it probably is. Check seller ratings and reviews on the platform itself.

Avoid wire transfers or prepaid gift cards as payment methods. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards, PayPal, or other standard payment systems.

If you think you’ve been scammed

Act quickly:

  • Freeze or cancel the payment method used.
  • Change your Amazon password and any other accounts that share that password.
  • Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges in the coming weeks.
  • If you entered personal information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.

Prime Day can be a good time to find real bargains, but it’s also a time when scammers are working overtime. A little caution goes a long way.

Sources: Better Business Bureau scam alerts, Federal Trade Commission consumer reports, WBKO, WIFR, and MSN coverage of BBB warnings (June 22–23, 2026).