Spotting Amazon Prime Day Scams
As consumers look forward to snagging deals on Amazon Prime Day, it’s essential to stay vigilant against potential scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about email phishing attempts that appear to be from legitimate stores.
Why Be Vigilant?
"It’s an email that can have logos copied from a legitimate company, in this case, Amazon," cautioned Cinthya Lavin, a spokesperson from the BBB. "It could have deals that appear to be true, but then there’s links within the email that connect you, and it can take information out of your computer."
Recent Survey Finds
A recent survey conducted by Retail-Me-Not, a leading deals site, indicates that consumers are tightening their budgets this Prime Day. The survey, involving over 1,000 participants, revealed that the average Prime Day shopper plans to spend $250 this year, a drop from the $388 spent in 2022 and a significant decrease from the $594 spent in 2021.
How to Spot Scams
Shoppers need to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves. Tracking purchases, particularly when making many of them, is recommended. Unsolicited texts or phone calls claiming you’ve won a prize or reporting a delivery issue are usually a red flag.
"They can take advantage of your credit cards and start doing unauthorized charges," Lavin said.
Identify Genuine Emails
Amazon provides some guidance on how to identify genuine emails from the company. They might occasionally send emails with attachments, but these will always be linked in a box labeled "Attachments(s) protected by Amazon." These specific links are safe to open. Any email or text message containing links or attachments that seem suspicious should not be opened.
Lookalike Websites
Shoppers should be wary of social media ads that redirect to lookalike websites. At first glance, these sites might seem trustworthy, but upon closer inspection, inconsistencies may become evident.
"Take a look around the website before you purchase anything. Does it just look to have one or two products? Does it just have a very little information to get in touch with the person selling it?" Lavin said.
Making Secure Payments
It’s important to choose your payment method wisely. For online purchases, using a credit card is generally the best option, as suspicious charges can be disputed later with the credit card company. Consumers should be cautious of any retailer asking for payment via digital wallet apps, prepaid debit cards, or other unconventional methods.
Conclusion
As Amazon Prime Day approaches, it’s crucial for shoppers to be aware of potential scams. By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can enjoy a safe and successful shopping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I identify a genuine Amazon email?
A: Verify if the email comes from Amazon’s official domain (@amazon.com) and check for any typos or grammatical errors. If the email contains links, ensure they are linked in a box labeled "Attachments(s) protected by Amazon."
Q: What are some red flags for a scam?
A: Unsolicited texts or phone calls, excessive grammar or spelling errors, and urgent action requests are typical red flags.
Q: How can I make my online purchases more secure?
A: Use a credit card for online payments, and be cautious of any retailer asking for payment via digital wallet apps, prepaid debit cards, or unconventional methods.
