Prime Day Scams Are Booming: How to Shop Safely This Year

Amazon Prime Day draws millions of shoppers each year, but it also draws scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a sharp increase in online shopping scams tied to the event. Fake websites, phishing emails, and social media ads promising unbelievably low prices are circulating now. If you plan to take advantage of the sales this week, it helps to know what to watch for and how to protect yourself.

What happened

The BBB’s alert, reported by multiple local news outlets including WBKO, highlights that scammers are capitalizing on the shopping rush. Common tactics include:

Fake websites that mimic Amazon or other major retailers. The URLs often contain slight misspellings or extra words (e.g., “amaz0n-deals.com”).
Phishing emails that appear to come from Amazon, claiming there is a problem with your order or offering an exclusive early-access link.
Social media ads that lead to counterfeit goods or payment pages that steal credit card information.
Fake order confirmations that ask you to call a number or click a link to cancel a purchase you never made—designed to extract personal data.

The BBB notes that these scams peak during major sales events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not new, but the scale and sophistication increase during high-traffic days. According to FTC data, consumers reported losing more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, with online shopping scams accounting for a significant portion. When you’re rushing to grab a deal, it’s easy to overlook red flags.

The consequences go beyond losing the money for a single purchase. Scammers may also collect enough personal information to commit identity theft or make unauthorized charges on your card. And because Prime Day often involves third-party sellers, even legitimate-looking listings can be counterfeit or never shipped.

What readers can do

Here are concrete steps to reduce your risk:

Shop on the official app or website. Bookmark the real Amazon URL and always double-check the address bar before entering payment details. Do not click links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
Scrutinize deals that seem too good to be true. An 80% discount on a popular electronics item is a classic bait. Compare prices across multiple trusted retailers first.
Check seller ratings and reviews. On Amazon, click the seller’s name and look at their feedback history. Be wary of sellers with few reviews or reviews that sound generic (e.g., “great product, fast shipping” repeated many times).
Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. If you are charged for something you never received or a fake order, you can dispute the charge more easily.
Avoid public Wi-Fi when making purchases. Unsecured networks can allow attackers to intercept your data. Use a mobile data connection or a trusted home network.
Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account. This adds an extra layer of security even if your password is compromised.
Be wary of “limited time” urgency. Scammers create fake countdown timers or say “only 3 left” to pressure you into clicking without thinking.

What to do if you fall for a scam

Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the unauthorized charge and request a chargeback.
Change your Amazon password and revoke access for any third-party apps you don’t recognize.
Report the scam to the BBB Scam Tracker and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you shared personal information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file through one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Sources

BBB warning reported by WBKO (June 2026)
Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2022
Amazon Prime Day official event terms and conditions

Stay sharp out there and happy (safe) shopping.