Shop Smart This Father’s Day and Prime Day: Avoid Scams and Save Safely
Father’s Day and Amazon Prime Day are both coming up this week, and retailers expect record spending. According to a recent WRAL report, the combination of these two major shopping events could push consumer spending to levels we haven’t seen before. That’s good for the economy, but it also attracts scammers who know people are hunting for deals.
Here’s what’s happening, why it matters for your wallet and personal data, and a few practical steps you can take to shop safely.
What Happened
On June 19, 2026, WRAL reported that Father’s Day and Prime Day are projected to bring record spending this year. The article notes that online shopping scams tend to spike during high-traffic sales events. Phishing emails, fake websites, and social media ads for counterfeit goods all become more common when consumers are actively looking for bargains.
The news itself is not surprising—each year the spending totals grow—but the scale of this year’s expected spending makes the risk more significant. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also noted a steady increase in fraud reports tied to online shopping, especially during promotional periods.
Why It Matters
When you’re in a hurry to buy a gift or snag a Prime Day deal, it’s easy to overlook warning signs. Scammers rely on that urgency. A fake email that looks like it’s from Amazon might include a link to a “limited-time offer” that actually leads to a phishing page designed to steal your login credentials. Similarly, an ad on social media for a deeply discounted grill or watch might take you to a site that takes your payment and never ships anything—or sends a cheap counterfeit.
The consequences go beyond losing the money for that one purchase. If a scammer gets your credit card number or personal information, they can use it for further fraud, or sell it on the dark web. During past Prime Days, reports of account takeovers and unauthorized charges have surged.
What Readers Can Do
You don’t need to avoid shopping altogether—just take a few precautions.
Stick to official retailers. If you’re buying a gift for Father’s Day, buy directly from the brand’s website or a known retailer like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy. For Prime Day, always begin your search from Amazon’s own app or the website you’ve bookmarked—don’t click links in unsolicited emails.
Check URLs carefully. Scammers create look-alike domain names, like “amaz0n-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com”. Before you enter any payment information, verify the web address in the browser bar. Look for the padlock icon and make sure the URL matches what you expect.
Use credit cards, not debit cards. Credit cards offer better fraud protection. If a fraudulent charge appears, you can dispute it with the card issuer and generally not lose the money. Debit cards, on the other hand, pull money directly from your bank account, and recovering those funds can take longer.
Enable purchase alerts. Set up text or email alerts for any transaction over a small amount, like $1. That way you’ll know immediately if someone uses your card. Most banks and issuers offer this in their account settings.
Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true deals. If the price on a new Apple product is 80% off, it’s almost certainly a scam. Counterfeit goods and empty shipments are common during sales events. Read reviews from independent sources, not just the product page.
If something goes wrong, act fast. Contact your bank or credit card company to report the unauthorized charge. Also file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Change passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
Sources
- WRAL, “Father’s Day, Prime Day to bring record spending. Here’s how to shop smart, and avoid scams,” June 19, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, consumer information on online shopping scams (www.consumer.ftc.gov).
Stay alert, but don’t stress. A little caution can help you enjoy the sales without becoming a statistic.