Watch Out for These Amazon Prime Day Scams, Warns BBB
Amazon Prime Day 2026 is around the corner, and along with the doorbuster deals comes a wave of scams designed to separate you from your money. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning in late June, noting that fraudulent offers, phishing emails, and fake websites tend to spike during major sales events. If you’re planning to shop this Prime Day—or any of the competing sales from other retailers—it pays to know what to look for.
What happened
On June 22, 2026, the BBB released an alert cautioning shoppers about an increase in online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day. The organization said scammers are using the event’s buzz to push fake deals, bogus advertisements, and phishing attempts that mimic legitimate retailers. While the warning isn’t new—similar alerts appear before nearly every big sale—the timing matters because shoppers are more likely to let their guard down when they see “limited time” or “80% off” banners.
The BBB’s Scam Tracker has received reports of people losing money to counterfeit goods, never-received merchandise, and credit card fraud linked to Prime Day promotions. In some cases, victims clicked links in emails that appeared to be from Amazon, only to land on a copycat login page that stole their credentials.
Why it matters
Online shopping scams aren’t just annoying—they cost real money. According to the FTC, consumers reported losing over $8 billion to fraud in 2025, with online shopping scams accounting for a significant share. During events like Prime Day, the sheer volume of deals makes it easier for scammers to hide their traps among legitimate offers.
The primary danger isn’t just a single lost purchase. If you enter your payment information or Amazon login credentials on a fake site, scammers can use that data to make unauthorized purchases, access other accounts, or sell your information on dark web marketplaces. And because Prime Day often triggers wider sales from other retailers (Target, Walmart, Best Buy), the same scams appear under multiple brand names.
What readers can do
The BBB’s advice boils down to slowing down and verifying before you click. Here are the concrete steps that matter most:
Check the seller’s reputation. If you’re buying from a third-party marketplace (not Amazon directly), look up the seller’s rating and history. Avoid sellers with few reviews or those that just launched. The BBB recommends searching “[seller name] + scam” or checking their profile on the platform.
Inspect the URL carefully. Phishing emails often link to addresses that look like Amazon but contain subtle typos—like “arnazon.com” or “amaz0n.com.” Hover over links before clicking. If you’re unsure, type Amazon’s URL directly into your browser instead of clicking an email link.
Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true prices. A new iPad for $50? A designer bag for 90% off? Those are almost always fakes or bait-and-switch offers. Scammers create a sense of urgency (“Only 3 left!”) to push you into acting without thinking.
Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer better fraud protection. Under U.S. law, your liability for unauthorized charges is generally limited to $50, and many issuers waive it entirely. Debit cards don’t offer the same protection, and money comes directly out of your account.
Avoid paying with wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate retailers never ask for these as payment methods. If a “seller” insists on one, it’s almost certainly a scam.
Monitor your accounts after shopping. Check your bank and credit card statements for any charges you don’t recognize. Report suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
What to do if you get scammed. If you think you’ve fallen for a scam, contact your bank or credit card company right away to dispute the charge. Then report the incident to the BBB through their Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker) and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Filing a report helps warn others.
Sources
- BBB warning issued June 22, 2026 (as reported by WBKO)
- BBB Scam Tracker – bbb.org/scamtracker
- FTC Consumer Advice – consumer.ftc.gov
Note: The specific details of this year’s scams may evolve as Prime Day approaches, but the core patterns—phishing, fake deals, copycat websites—remain consistent. Always check official sources like Amazon’s own security page or the BBB before acting on a deal that seems too good to be true.