Shop smart this Father’s Day and Prime Day: How to spot and avoid online scams

Intro

Father’s Day and Amazon Prime Day are now upon us, and retailers expect record spending. That also means scammers are working overtime. Every year, phishing emails, fake websites, and too-good-to-be-true deals circulate widely during these shopping events. The Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau typically see spikes in fraud reports around major sales days. This article covers the most common scams and concrete steps you can take to keep your money and personal information safe.

What happened

According to news reports (including coverage from WRAL), the combination of Father’s Day and Amazon’s Prime Day is driving a surge in online shopping. Analysts predict spending will hit new highs. Unfortunately, cybercriminals follow consumer behavior. Past data from the FTC shows that online shopping fraud increased significantly during the 2024 and 2025 holiday seasons, and similar trends are expected this year. Scammers create lookalike retail sites, send fake order confirmations, and run social media ads for products that never arrive.

The scams are not limited to Amazon. Fake promotions for electronics, tools, clothing, and gift cards appear on Google Shopping ads, Facebook Marketplace, and even in text messages. The goal is always the same: steal your payment details, account credentials, or both.

Why it matters

A single fraudulent transaction can cost you hundreds of dollars and weeks of hassle. But the damage often goes further. If scammers obtain your email, password, or phone number, they may try to break into other accounts (banking, social media, streaming services). Identity theft takes time and money to resolve. For consumers who are less familiar with online scams—older relatives, first-time Prime Day shoppers—the risk is especially high. A small mistake, like clicking a link in an unsolicited email, can lead to bigger problems.

Shopping during high-traffic events also creates a sense of urgency. “Limited stock,” “deal ends soon,” and “only 3 left” messages pressure people to buy quickly without double-checking the seller. That’s exactly what scammers rely on.

What readers can do

Stick to official channels. Use the Amazon app or website directly instead of clicking links in email or text. If you see a deal advertised on social media, search for the retailer’s name separately rather than clicking the ad. Fake stores often have URLs that are off by one letter (e.g., “amaz0n-deals.com”).

Check the seller and return policy. On Amazon, view the seller’s ratings and read recent reviews. Look for red flags like no returns, no customer service phone number, or generic product photos. If the deal is from a small independent website, search for “[store name] scam” to see if anyone has reported problems.

Use a credit card or a payment service like PayPal. Credit cards offer chargeback rights if a purchase goes wrong. Avoid debit cards, bank transfers, wire transfers, and gift cards. Scammers often demand gift cards because they are nearly impossible to trace.

Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts. This adds an extra step when logging in, making it harder for thieves to access your account even if they steal your password.

Monitor your bank and credit card statements. Check them weekly during Prime Day and Father’s Day. If you see a charge you don’t recognize, report it immediately. The sooner you act, the more likely you are to recover the money.

Save receipts and tracking numbers. After you buy, keep the order confirmation email and track shipments through the retailer’s official app or website. Be wary of emails that claim your package was delayed and ask you to click a link to reschedule. Those are often phishing messages.

If you think you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer right away to dispute the charge.
  • Change the password on any compromised accounts.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you gave away personal information, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – online shopping scam alerts and data
  • Better Business Bureau – scam tracker and seasonal fraud reports
  • WRAL news coverage of Father’s Day and Prime Day spending trends

This article is based on publicly available guidance and news reports as of June 2026. No specific scam statistics were verified independently for this post, but the general patterns described are well documented by consumer protection agencies.