Prime Day Scams Are Coming: How to Shop Safely and Spot Fakes

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. As deals flood your inbox and social media feeds, fraudsters are working just as hard to separate you from your money. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning about a surge in online shopping scams tied to Prime Day and similar sales events. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.

What Happened

The BBB issued a consumer alert ahead of Amazon Prime Day warning that scammers are ramping up their efforts during high-traffic shopping periods. According to a report from WBKO, the BBB highlighted several common tactics fraudsters use during these sales events:

  • Phishing emails that look like they come from Amazon. These messages often claim there’s a problem with your order or invite you to claim a “special Prime Day deal.” Links in these emails lead to fake login pages designed to steal your Amazon password and payment details.

  • Fake websites and social media ads offering discounts that seem too good to be true. Scammers set up sites that mimic Amazon or other major retailers, often using misspelled URLs (e.g., “amaz0n-prime-deals.com”). When you enter your information, they capture your credit card number and other personal data.

  • Payment scams that demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer apps like Zelle or Cash App. Legitimate retailers never ask you to pay with gift cards or wire money for a purchase.

  • Social media impersonation where scammers create fake profiles or pages pretending to be the official Amazon account, promoting fake giveaways or exclusive deals.

The BBB warning is not unique; the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also publishes annual guidance about shopping fraud during major sale events. The specific dates for Prime Day in 2026 have not been confirmed by Amazon at the time of this writing, but the pattern of scams is consistent regardless of the exact calendar.

Why It Matters

Scams of this type are not rare. The FTC reported that consumers lost more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2024, with online shopping scams being one of the most common categories. During Prime Day and similar events, the volume of fraudulent offers spikes. Even savvy shoppers can be caught off guard when they see a limited-time deal and act quickly.

The damage isn’t just financial. If scammers gain access to your Amazon account, they could place unauthorized orders, view your saved payment methods, or steal your personal information. Cleaning up after an identity theft incident takes time and energy that most people don’t have.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t have to avoid Prime Day altogether. Most scams are preventable with a few straightforward practices:

1. Shop on the official Amazon app or website. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a link from an email or ad. If you receive an email about an order issue, go to your account directly by opening a new browser tab and logging in. Do not use the link in the email.

2. Check the URL carefully. Before you enter any personal or payment information, look for “amazon.com” or another known domain. Scammers often use slight variations such as “amaz0n.com” or “amazonn.com.” If the site looks off, leave immediately.

3. Pay with a credit card or a payment service that offers buyer protection. Credit cards let you dispute fraudulent charges. Debit cards, wire transfers, and gift cards offer little to no protection. Avoid sellers that insist on non-traditional payment methods.

4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Amazon account. This adds an extra step when logging in from an unrecognized device. Even if someone gets your password, they can’t access your account without the code sent to your phone. To turn it on, go to Account Settings → Login & Security → Two-Step Verification.

5. Keep your account monitoring regular. Review your Amazon order history and payment methods periodically, especially after a major shopping event. Report any unfamiliar activity immediately.

If you do fall for a scam:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer right away to freeze the card or initiate a chargeback.
  • Change your Amazon password and revoke access to any third-party apps you don’t recognize.
  • Report the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the BBB at bbb.org/ScamTracker.
  • Monitor your credit card and bank statements for any further unauthorized transactions.

Sources

  • “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day” – WBKO, June 22, 2026. (Google News RSS, accessed June 27, 2026)
  • Federal Trade Commission – “How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams” (consumer guidance, ftc.gov)