Prime Day Scams Are Surging – How to Spot Them Before You Lose Money

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning on June 22, 2026, advising consumers to be extra cautious as fraudulent activity ramps up during this high-traffic period. Here’s a practical look at what’s happening and how to keep your money and personal information safe.

What the BBB Warning Is About

The BBB’s alert highlights a surge in online shopping scams specifically tied to Prime Day and other concurrent sales events like Walmart Deals and Target Circle Week. Common tactics include phishing emails that mimic official Amazon communications, fake websites that look nearly identical to the real thing, and social media ads promoting deals that are too good to be true. The warning is not new in substance—these scams appear every year—but the timing and volume increase sharply during major sales.

Why Scammers Love Prime Day

Prime Day creates a perfect storm for fraud: millions of shoppers are actively looking for bargains, many are rushing to beat time-limited offers, and the sheer volume of legitimate promotions makes it harder to spot the fakes. Scammers exploit this urgency. They send emails claiming “your account has a problem” or “you’ve won a gift card,” with links that lead to phishing pages designed to steal login credentials or payment details. Others set up fake storefronts on social media or even within marketplace platforms, offering steep discounts on popular electronics, clothing, or home goods. The deals are never delivered, or they send counterfeit items.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unrealistic discounts. If a new laptop is 90% off or a luxury handbag is selling for $20, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Urgent language. Phrases like “act now” or “limited time only” are used to pressure you into clicking without thinking.
  • Mismatched URLs. Hover over any link before clicking. A legitimate Amazon link will start with amazon.com (or a country-specific variation). Look for subtle misspellings like amaz0n.com or amazon-deals.net.
  • Requests for payment outside the platform. Amazon never asks you to pay via wire transfer, gift card, or a third-party payment service. Any seller who does is fraudulent.
  • Unsolicited customer support calls or texts. Scammers pose as Amazon support claiming there’s an issue with your order. Hang up and contact Amazon directly through its official app or website.

How to Shop Safely

  • Stick to official apps and websites. Download the Amazon app from your phone’s official app store, or type the URL directly into your browser. Avoid clicking links from emails or social media ads.
  • Use a credit card for purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your Amazon account. This adds an extra layer of security even if your password is compromised.
  • Check seller ratings and reviews. On Amazon, look at the seller’s history and read recent reviews. Be suspicious of sellers with few ratings or a sudden spike in positive feedback.
  • Compare prices across reputable sites. If a deal appears only on a random website you’ve never heard of, verify the same product price on Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.

The same rules apply to other major sales happening at the same time. Scammers don’t limit themselves to Amazon.

If You Get Scammed

Act quickly. The faster you respond, the better your chances of limiting damage.

  1. Change your Amazon password immediately and revoke access to any third-party apps connected to your account.
  2. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the fraudulent charge and request a chargeback.
  3. Report the scam to Amazon via its “Report Something Suspicious” page.
  4. File a complaint with the BBB and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. These reports help track scams and warn others.

Even if the amount lost is small, reporting it matters. Scammers rely on victims staying quiet.

The Bottom Line

Prime Day can be a great time to save money, but the best deals won’t do you any good if your personal information is stolen. Slow down, trust your instincts, and verify before you click. The BBB warning is a reminder that scammers are working just as hard as retailers to get your attention—and your money.

Sources: Better Business Bureau consumer alert (June 22, 2026); Federal Trade Commission guidance on online shopping scams; Amazon security page.