Prime Day Scams Are Getting Smarter: 9 Tips to Shop Safely
Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. Each July, phishing attempts, fake deals, and fraudulent sellers spike alongside the legitimate discounts. A recent PCMag article (June 11, 2026) outlined nine practical ways to avoid these threats. Their advice is worth reviewing before you start clicking “Add to Cart.”
What Happened
PCMag’s piece, “Stay Safe This Prime Day: 9 Crucial Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams,” draws on years of consumer protection reporting. The article notes that Amazon itself has reported a year-over-year increase in scam attempts during Prime Day. The Federal Trade Commission has also issued warnings about scammers asking for payment via gift cards—a near-certain sign of fraud. According to data cited in the article, more than 40% of consumers encounter at least one scam attempt during major sales events.
Why It Matters
The stakes go beyond a wasted purchase. Scammers can steal payment information, take over accounts, or trick you into revealing login credentials. During Prime Day, the pressure to act fast on a “limited-time deal” makes people more vulnerable. A few seconds of caution can save you from weeks of dealing with a compromised identity or unauthorized charges.
What Readers Can Do
Here are the nine tips from PCMag, adapted with additional context from FTC guidance and common sense.
1. Shop only on official apps or verified websites.
Type the URL yourself or use the official Amazon app. Never click a link from an unsolicited text, email, or social media ad. Scammers create look-alike sites that differ by one letter. Check the address bar before entering any payment details.
2. Watch for phishing emails and fake “order confirmations.”
A common scam: you receive an email about a purchase you didn’t make, with a link to “cancel the order.” That link leads to a phony login page designed to steal your credentials. If you get such an email, go directly to your Amazon account—do not click the link.
3. Compare prices and read reviews—but be skeptical of fake reviews.
Too-good-to-be-true prices often are. Use tools like CamelCamelCamel to check historical pricing. For third-party sellers, read reviews carefully. Look for patterns: many five-star reviews posted in a short period may be fabricated. Amazon has faced ongoing criticism about fake reviews, so cross-check with independent sources if possible.
4. Use a credit card or PayPal, not a debit card or gift card.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. PayPal also provides buyer protection for certain transactions. If a seller demands payment via gift card, stop immediately—that’s a major red flag, per the FTC.
5. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Amazon account and email.
If a scammer gets your password, 2FA can block them from signing in. Use an authenticator app if possible; SMS-based 2FA is better than nothing but can be intercepted.
6. Don’t click on pop-ups or ads promising “exclusive deals.”
Many of these are either phishing links or malicious ads (malvertising) that can infect your device. Stick to the official site or trusted deal aggregators.
7. Check the seller’s rating and history before buying from a third party.
Not all sellers on Amazon are Amazon. Look at how long the seller has been active, their feedback score, and recent negative reviews. If the seller has no history or a very new account, be cautious.
8. Set a budget and stick to it.
Scammers often exploit impulse buying. Decide what you need beforehand. If a deal seems to pressure you (“only 3 left!”), pause and verify the legitimacy before purchasing.
9. Monitor your accounts after Prime Day.
Review your bank and credit card statements for a few weeks after the event. Dispute any unauthorized charges immediately. Also check your Amazon order history for purchases you didn’t make—a sign your account may have been compromised.
Sources
- PCMag, “Stay Safe This Prime Day: 9 Crucial Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams” (June 11, 2026).
- Federal Trade Commission, “How to Avoid Gift Card Scams” (ongoing advisory).
- Amazon, annual Prime Day scam prevention reports (including 2025 and 2026 data cited by PCMag).