Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day

Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. They ramp up fake deals, phishing emails, and look-alike websites in the weeks leading up to the event, hoping to catch shoppers off guard. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning for consumers to stay extra cautious this season.

What Happened

The BBB’s warning, reported by WBKO and other outlets, highlights a surge in scams tied to major sales events like Prime Day. According to the BBB, fraudsters use a variety of tactics: phishing emails that mimic Amazon’s branding, fake websites that look nearly identical to the real store, and too-good-to-be-true deals designed to steal payment details. These scams aren’t new, but they tend to spike during high-traffic shopping periods when people are less careful.

Why It Matters

If you fall for one of these scams, you could lose money, have your credit card information stolen, or become a victim of identity theft. The BBB notes that many of these schemes are sophisticated—fraudulent emails often include official-looking logos and links that lead to convincing but fake login pages. Even savvy shoppers can be fooled in the rush to grab a deal. And since Prime Day sales are time-limited, scammers count on you clicking before you think.

What Readers Can Do

Here are practical steps to protect yourself during Prime Day and any other big online sale.

1. Recognize Common Scam Types

  • Phishing emails: These claim to be from Amazon, often with subject lines like “Your Prime Day deal is waiting” or “Account alert.” They include links to fake login pages. Check the sender’s email address carefully—scammers use addresses that look similar to Amazon’s but have slight misspellings.
  • Fake websites: Scammers register domains that resemble Amazon’s URL but swap a letter or add a subtle dash (e.g., “amzon.com” or “amazon-deals.co”). They may also use a different top-level domain, like “.shop” instead of “.com.”
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals: If a price seems impossibly low—say, a new laptop for $50—it’s almost certainly a scam. Payment may be required through wire transfer, gift cards, or other non-traceable methods.
  • Payment scams: Some fraudulent sellers ask you to pay outside Amazon’s official checkout system, such as via direct bank transfer or PayPal friends-and-family. Once you pay, the product never arrives, and you have no buyer protection.

2. Verify Before You Click

  • Check the URL carefully. Hover over any link in an email before clicking. Legitimate Amazon emails will direct you to an address ending in “amazon.com” (or your local country domain).
  • Use the official Amazon app or website directly. Instead of clicking a link in an email, open a new browser tab and go to amazon.com manually. Log in from there.
  • Look for typos and poor grammar. Many scam emails contain awkward phrasing or spelling errors, though not all do. Be skeptical of urgent language like “Act now or your account will be suspended.”
  • Research the seller. If you’re buying from a third-party seller on Amazon, check their rating, number of reviews, and how long they’ve been active. New sellers with zero reviews offering deeply discounted items are a red flag.

3. Protect Your Payment Information

  • Use a credit card rather than a debit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law (the Fair Credit Billing Act). If you’re charged for something you didn’t authorize, you can dispute it and usually get a refund. Debit cards have weaker protections, and stolen funds can disrupt your bank account.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Amazon account. This adds a layer of security—even if a scammer gets your password, they won’t be able to log in without the second code.
  • Use a strong, unique password for your Amazon account. Don’t reuse the same password from other sites. A password manager can help.

4. What to Do If You Fall Victim

If you suspect you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report unauthorized charges and stop further payments.
  • Report the scam to Amazon through their fraud reporting page.
  • File a complaint with the BBB at bbb.org/scamtracker.
  • Also report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  • Change your Amazon password and review your account activity for any unknown orders or changes.

Sources

  • BBB warns of online shopping scams ahead of Amazon Prime Day – WBKO
  • Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker)
  • Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Advice on Online Shopping Scams

Stay alert, shop smart, and don’t let the excitement of a sale override your caution. A few seconds of verification can save you a lot of trouble.