As major summer sales approach—including Amazon Prime Day from July 8 to 11—the Better Business Bureau is warning shoppers to stay vigilant for scams and fraudulent websites.
According to the BBB, online shopping scams remain among the most common and costly, particularly for people aged 18 to 34. In 2024, more than 30% of all scams reported to BBB involved online purchases, with nearly 88% of victims losing money.
The BBB warns shoppers to look out for:
- Phishing emails and texts that claim problems with accounts or deliveries.
- Fake websites impersonating major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Macy’s, Apple, and Wayfair.
- Social media ads linking to lookalike scam websites.
- Unusually low prices on in-demand items, which are often bait for scams.
BBB advises consumers to:
- Research sellers through customer reviews and the BBB website.
- Double-check website addresses for spelling errors or unusual domains.
- Avoid clicking suspicious links and instead visit official retailer websites directly.
- Ensure websites are secure—look for “HTTPS” and a lock icon in the browser bar.
- Pay with credit cards for stronger fraud protection.
- Never share personal information like Social Security numbers or online banking passwords when shopping.
BBB encourages shoppers to stay cautious and check BBB.org for business ratings and more scam prevention resources.
