Enjoy Prime Day, but stay alert for online scammers

BUFFALO. N.Y. (WHEC) – Amazon Prime Day has become a summer event, and Amazon isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts on July 12 and 13, 2022. Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and many other companies are running their own sales. More deals are great for consumers, and more people out shopping is great for businesses.

Just be careful, and don’t get so caught up in the excitement that you fall for phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and lookalike websites.

The Better Business Bureau says to look out for these scams this week:

Phishing scams appear to come from a popular retailer. Phishing scams increase during busy shopping times, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. When you are making a lot of purchases, it’s easy to lose track of exactly what you bought and where you shopped. That makes you more likely to fall for a phishing scam posing as a big-name store.

Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. These messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with delivery, all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information. One recent phishing con claims to be Amazon calling to fix an issue with your account. This ruse is meant to get your credit card information, account login details, or remote access to your computer.

Beware of false advertising and phony websites. When searching online or browsing social media, watch out for ads that point to scam websites. Con artists often create lookalike websites that, at first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But when you look more closely at the URL, you’ll notice that the domain name is slightly different (i.e., Instead of Popularstore.com, the URL might be PopvlarStore.com or PopularStoreOnline.com).

Always make sure websites use the correct business name spelling and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers.

Also, use common sense when evaluating deals. If a company claims to be selling the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably a con.

Tips to avoid online shopping scams this Prime Day:
• Beware of fake lookalike websites: Check the URL, watch for bad grammar, research the age of the domain, search for contact information, and read online reviews.
• Professional photos do not mean it’s a real offer. Scammers often steal photos off other websites, so don’t believe what you see.
• Make sure the website is secure. Look for the “HTTPS” in the URL (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar. Never enter payment or personal information into a website with only “HTTP.” It is NOT secure.
• Be careful purchasing sought-after products. If something is sold out everywhere, don’t be tempted by a seemingly great deal. Scammers often trick shoppers by offering the most popular products at low prices.
• Pay with a credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges turn up later, you will be able to contest them through your credit card company. Be very wary of any retailer that asks you to pay by digital wallet apps, prepaid money cards, or other non-traditional payment methods.
• After you buy, stay alert for scams. Scammers spoof various phone numbers and pretend to be Amazon support.