Prime Day and Father’s Day Deals: How to Shop Safe and Avoid Scams
Retailers are gearing up for two of the biggest spending events of the season: Father’s Day and Amazon’s Prime Day. Combined, they typically drive hundreds of dollars in purchases per household. But where there is a surge in legitimate deals, there is also a surge in scams. Phishing emails, fake storefronts, and too-good-to-be-true offers multiply rapidly during these periods. The goal is not to scare you away from bargains but to help you spot trouble before you click “buy.”
What happened
According to a recent report from WRAL, analysts expect record spending this Father’s Day and Prime Day. Consumers are hunting for gifts, electronics, tools, and home goods. At the same time, scammers are running seasonal campaigns designed to look exactly like official promotions. They create lookalike websites, send emails pretending to be from Amazon or well-known retailers, and post ads on social media that promise 80% off popular items. The Federal Trade Commission noted that online shopping scams were the second most common fraud category reported in 2025, and these high-traffic holidays are a prime hunting ground.
Why it matters
The damage is not just about losing money on a fake order. Scammers often collect credit card numbers, home addresses, and login credentials. In some cases, they deliver counterfeit goods that can be dangerous (for example, knockoff electronics without safety certifications). Even if you catch a scam early, disputing charges takes time and can leave you without the gift you intended to give. With Father’s Day and Prime Day falling close together, the window for recovering lost funds is tight. Knowing the warning signs saves you frustration and protects your financial information.
What readers can do
1. Verify the deal, not just the store name
Phishing emails often copy Amazon’s logo and color scheme, but the sender address will look suspicious. Hover over links (on a computer) to see the real destination. Do not click “Claim Your Deal” from an unsolicited email. Instead, open a new browser tab and go directly to the retailer’s website. For third-party sellers on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, check the seller’s history and read recent reviews. If a store has only been active for a few days or has no reviews, treat it with caution.
2. Look for secure checkout
Legitimate checkout pages use HTTPS encryption. Before entering payment details, confirm that the URL starts with https:// and shows a padlock icon. A missing padlock or a strange domain (like amazon-deals.shop) is a red flag. When possible, use a credit card or a payment service such as PayPal, which offers buyer protection in many cases. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency as payment—scammers frequently demand these because they are nearly impossible to reverse.
3. Compare prices across trusted sites
If a deal seems outlandishly cheap—think a brand new tablet for $30—it is likely a scam. Scammers rely on urgency. Take five minutes to check the same item on other reputable retailers like Best Buy, Target, or Walmart. If the price is dramatically lower everywhere else, the ad is probably fake. Genuine discounts during Prime Day are usually 30-50% off, not 90% off high-demand items.
4. Set up alerts and use ad blockers
Many scam ads appear on social media feeds. An ad blocker (like uBlock Origin or a built-in browser blocker) can reduce exposure. You can also set spending alerts on your credit or debit card so you are notified immediately of any transaction over a certain amount. That way, if a scammer makes a purchase, you know about it within seconds.
5. Know what to do if something goes wrong
If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. Report the fraudulent website or email to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Also inform the legitimate company whose name was used (for example, notify Amazon’s fraud team). Time matters—many banks have a 60-day window for chargebacks, so do not delay.
Sources
- WRAL, “Father’s Day, Prime Day to bring record spending. Here’s how to shop smart, and avoid scams,” June 19, 2026. Link
- Federal Trade Commission, “Online shopping scams,” 2025 Data Spotlight.
A few minutes of caution before you check out can save you from a headache that lasts long after the deals are gone. Stick with known retailers, verify links, and use payment methods that give you recourse. That way, you spend your money on gifts—not on a lesson.