Prime Day, taking place on July 16-17 this year, is a highly anticipated event for shoppers seeking bargains. However, amidst the excitement of summer sales, it's crucial to remain vigilant against potential scams. Scammers often exploit this period with tactics such as phishing emails and counterfeit websites, aiming to deceive consumers into divulging personal information or making payments to fraudulent sources. In 2023, Amazon ranked as the second most impersonated company, highlighting the prevalence of such threats during peak shopping seasons.
To safeguard yourself, avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails that claim to offer exclusive deals or discounts. Instead, manually type the retailer's web address into your browser to ensure you are navigating to the legitimate site. Look for "https://" at the beginning of the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating a secure connection. Stick to well-known retailers or verify unfamiliar ones through trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before making any transactions.
When making purchases, use credit cards rather than debit cards for added protection against unauthorized charges. Additionally, keep records of your transactions and avoid sharing sensitive information like Social Security Numbers unless absolutely necessary and through secure channels. By staying informed and cautious, you can enjoy the savings and deals of Prime Day while keeping your financial information secure.
