Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams Before Amazon Prime Day

Prime Day deals are tempting, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that scammers are also gearing up. Every major sales event draws fraudsters who create fake websites, send phishing emails, and list counterfeit goods. Knowing what to look for can help you keep your money and personal information safe.

What Happened

In June 2026, the BBB issued a warning about online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day. The organization noted that scam activity spikes during large promotional events, and Prime Day is no exception. Reports to the BBB’s Scam Tracker show an increase in fake shopping sites, phishing messages that impersonate Amazon, and listings for products that don’t exist or are counterfeits.

While the warning is from a specific news cycle, the advice applies to any major online sale—Prime Day, Black Friday, or site-wide promotions from other retailers.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams cost consumers millions each year. During high-traffic sales, the volume of deals makes it harder to spot the fakes. A few common schemes:

  • Fake websites that copy Amazon’s login page or product pages. They may use URLs like “amzn-deals.com” or include misspellings.
  • Phishing emails that appear to come from Amazon, offering early access or exclusive discounts. They often contain links that lead to credential-stealing pages.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals on high-demand items. Scammers list popular electronics or toys at deep discounts, take payment, and never ship.
  • Counterfeit goods sold by third-party sellers. Even on legitimate platforms, fake products can be listed with convincing photos and reviews.

The risk extends beyond a wasted purchase. Entering your login credentials on a fake site can compromise your Amazon account, and paying with a debit card or gift card can make it nearly impossible to recover your money.

What Readers Can Do

Here are concrete steps to protect yourself during Prime Day or any major sale.

Verify URLs Before You Click

Hover over any link in an email or ad before clicking. Look for the official Amazon domain (amazon.com or your country’s Amazon domain). Be suspicious of shortened URLs or domains that add extra words. If the email is unsolicited, don’t click at all—open a browser and go directly to Amazon.

Check for Red Flags in Emails

Phishing emails often contain generic greetings (“Dear Customer”), urgent language (“Act now to lock in your deal”), or subtle typos. Look at the sender address, not just the display name. Legitimate Amazon emails come from addresses ending in @amazon.com.

Shop Through the Official App or Site

Avoid clicking on ads or links from social media, search results, or third-party deal aggregators unless you’ve verified the seller. Manually type amazon.com into your browser or use the official app. This bypasses many fraudulent links.

Vet Sellers Carefully

On Amazon, check seller ratings, review history, and whether the product is “Fulfilled by Amazon.” Beware of new sellers with no reviews or listings that seem priced way below market. Counterfeit items are more common from third-party sellers than Amazon directly.

Use a Credit Card

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, wire transfers, or gift cards. If you don’t receive your order or it’s a fake, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. Avoid paying with a debit card if possible—once the money is gone, it’s harder to get back.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Amazon account. This adds an extra step when logging in from a new device, so even if a scammer gets your password, they can’t access your account without the second factor.

What to Do If You Get Scammed

Act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company to report fraud and request a chargeback. Change your passwords and log out of all sessions. Report the scam to the BBB Scam Tracker (BBB.org/ScamTracker) and the Federal Trade Commission (ReportFraud.ftc.gov). Filing a report helps warn others and may assist in investigations.

Sources

  • BBB Scam Tracker alert, June 2026 (as reported by WBKO)
  • Federal Trade Commission – consumer guidance on online shopping scams
  • Amazon’s own security advice for account protection

Stay alert, stick to trusted shopping habits, and you’ll be far less likely to lose money during the sales frenzy.