As Amazon Prime Day kicks off, experts are reminding consumers to stay alert for scams. Phony emails from people impersonating online retailers like Amazon often spike during major sales events such as Prime Day and Black Friday, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
“This is a huge moment on the retail calendar,” said Josh Planos, vice president of communications and public relations at the BBB. “It represents an enormous opportunity for scammers to separate folks from their hard-earned money.”
Prime Day, a two-day discount event for Amazon Prime members, begins on Tuesday and runs through Wednesday. The BBB has issued updated guidance, urging consumers to watch out for lookalike websites, too-good-to-be-true social media ads, and unsolicited emails or calls during sales events this month.
The need for vigilance is higher this year than ever before. The BBB received a record number of phishing reports in 2023, with numbers continuing to rise. Additionally, Check Point Software Technologies reported that over 1,230 new websites associated with Amazon appeared in June, most of which were malicious or suspicious.
Scott Knapp, director of worldwide buyer risk prevention at Amazon, highlighted two common scam areas during Prime Day: Prime membership and order confirmations. Many reported scams involve unsolicited calls or emails claiming issues with Prime membership, seeking bank account or payment information.
To avoid falling victim, consumers should confirm orders they didn’t place and be wary of unsolicited communication. Scammers often use expensive items to grab attention, creating a false sense of urgency.
Amazon is actively working to prevent scammers from using its brand to deceive customers. Shoppers can verify purchases and messages from Amazon on its app or website.
Experts emphasize that while shopping scams often follow familiar patterns, they are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Consumers should look for secure “HTTPS” websites, block unwanted messages, and avoid sharing financial information with unsolicited callers.
In 2023, consumers reported losing about $10 billion to fraud, with online shopping scams being the second most-reported form of fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Both the FTC and BBB provide year-round tips to avoid scams, including checking links before clicking and being cautious of counterfeit products and fake reviews on trusted retailers’ sites.
Amazon has taken significant steps to combat counterfeit products and fake reviews, blocking billions of bad listings and removing millions of counterfeit items. Customers can report fake reviews and scams on Amazon’s website, and the company proactively contacts customers and offers refunds for detected counterfeit items.
