Prime Day Shopping? BBB Warns of These Scams Before You Click ‘Buy’
Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. With millions of people hunting for deals, fraudsters ramp up their efforts to steal your money or personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning ahead of Prime Day, urging shoppers to stay alert. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself.
What Happened
The BBB recently released a consumer alert about the surge in online shopping scams tied to Amazon Prime Day. According to reporting by WBKO, the nonprofit organization has tracked these patterns for years and warns that this season is no different. Scammers create fake websites that look like Amazon or other retailers, send phishing emails that appear to be from Amazon, and post fraudulent ads on social media. The goal is to trick shoppers into entering payment details or clicking malicious links.
Common tactics include:
- Phishing emails with subject lines like “Your account has been suspended” or “Action required to confirm your order.” These links lead to spoofed login pages that steal your credentials.
- Social media ads promising deep discounts on popular items. Clicking the ad redirects to a convincing but fake store.
- Fake “order confirmation” or “shipping update” emails that contain malware or lead to credential harvesting pages.
The BBB emphasizes that Amazon never asks for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Any request for such forms of payment is a red flag.
Why It Matters
Prime Day is a prime target because the sheer volume of legitimate transactions makes it easier for scams to slip through. Shoppers are clicking faster, less suspicious, and more willing to trust deals that seem too good to pass up. Falling for a scam can mean losing your money, having your credit card details stolen, or exposing your Amazon account to unauthorized purchases.
In previous years, the BBB’s Scam Tracker recorded thousands of reports related to online shopping fraud during this period. Even if you don’t lose money, a compromised account can lead to identity theft and long-term headaches. Beyond individual loss, these scams undermine trust in online shopping and give fraudsters a foothold to target additional victims.
What Readers Can Do
You don’t have to skip Prime Day, but taking a few precautions will greatly reduce your risk.
1. Shop Directly on Amazon’s Website or App
Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails, texts, or social media ads. Instead, type “amazon.com” into your browser’s address bar or use the official Amazon app. This bypasses phishing links altogether.
2. Verify the Seller
On Amazon, check the seller’s name and ratings. If you’re buying from a third party, look for clues of legitimacy—older accounts, multiple positive reviews, and responsive customer service. Click on the seller’s storefront to see if they have a complete profile.
3. Use a Credit Card
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If you’re scammed, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or peer-to-peer payment services for purchases from unknown sellers.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Add an extra layer of security to your Amazon account by enabling two-factor authentication (2FA). This way, even if a scammer gets your password, they can’t log in without the code sent to your phone.
5. Watch for Phishing Red Flags
Phishing emails often use urgent language, generic greetings (like “Dear Customer”), and grammatical errors. Hover over any link before clicking—if the URL looks misspelled or doesn’t match amazon.com, don’t click.
6. Report Suspicious Activity
If you encounter a scam, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also forward phishing emails to Amazon at [email protected].
Sources
- BBB warning as reported by WBKO: “BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day” (June 22, 2026)
- BBB Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker
- Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov/complaint
Stay cautious, and you’ll enjoy the deals—not the headaches.