Prime Day scams are coming: How to shop safe and spot fake deals

Prime Day scams are coming: How to shop safe and spot fake deals

Every year, Amazon Prime Day brings steep discounts and a surge in online shopping. But that same excitement also draws scammers looking to separate shoppers from their money and personal data. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its usual warning ahead of this year’s event, which runs alongside similar sales from other major retailers. The message is straightforward: be cautious, verify deals, and know the signs of fraud before you click.

What happened

The BBB’s annual alert, picked up by outlets such as WBKO, highlights that phishing emails, fake websites, and social media ads are the top tactics scammers will use during Prime Day. These attacks often mimic Amazon or other well-known brands, using official-looking logos and urgent language like “limited time” or “act now.” Fake websites may have URLs that are easy to overlook — for example, “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com.” Scammers also set up counterfeit listings on third-party marketplaces and push too-good-to-be-true deals through unsolicited emails and posts.

While the BBB does not provide specific numbers for this year, it notes that such scams spike every year around major shopping events. The agency recommends reporting any suspicious offers to its Scam Tracker and to the Federal Trade Commission.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not just about losing a few dollars on a fake product. They can lead to stolen credit card numbers, identity theft, and malware infections. Once scammers have your payment or personal information, they can use it for further fraud or sell it on dark web marketplaces. For many shoppers, the convenience of clicking a link or entering card details quickly becomes a costly mistake.

Prime Day is especially risky because it compresses a huge volume of transactions into a short window. Scammers know that shoppers are more likely to rush past red flags in pursuit of a deal. The emotional pull of a “limited offer” can override normal caution, making even careful shoppers vulnerable.

What readers can do

You can reduce your risk with a few simple habits. They do not require special software or technical skills — just a bit of patience and skepticism.

1. Verify the sender before clicking any link.
Phishing emails often claim to be from Amazon, but hovering over the sender’s address will reveal a different domain. If the email originates from something like “[email protected],” do not click anything. Go directly to Amazon’s website or app to check your account and any offers.

2. Check the URL carefully.
Before entering payment information, look at the address bar. Scammers register domains that are one letter off from the real site. Also watch for “http://” instead of “https://” — the missing “s” means the connection is not secure. That said, some fake sites use HTTPS too, so it is not a guarantee. Use the official app or bookmark legitimate URLs.

3. Read seller reviews and ratings.
On Amazon and other marketplaces, check not just the product rating but the seller’s history. Many scam listings are from new accounts with few reviews. Be especially skeptical of items that are deeply discounted and offered only by a third-party seller you have never heard of.

4. Avoid deals that require payment outside the platform.
If a seller asks you to pay via wire transfer, gift card, or a peer-to-peer app like Venmo or Zelle, it is almost certainly a scam. Legitimate platforms keep payments inside their system to protect buyers.

5. Use a credit card, not a debit card.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. If a transaction turns out to be fake, you can dispute the charge and usually get your money back. Debit cards pull directly from your bank account, and recovering funds can take longer.

6. Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases.
Free Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports is easy for attackers to intercept. Use your mobile data or a trusted home network. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider a VPN, but remember that a VPN alone won’t protect you from fake websites.

7. Act quickly if you think you have been scammed.
Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can block further charges and issue a new card. Then report the scam to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint and to the BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker. Reporting helps warn others and may assist law enforcement.

Sources

• BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker)
• FTC complaint portal (ftc.gov/complaint)
• WBKO report: “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day” (June 22, 2026)
• Amazon official site for Prime Day details (amazon.com/primeday)

Shopping safely during Prime Day is mostly about slowing down and trusting your doubts. If a deal feels off, it probably is. There will always be another sale.