Share:
Fake Prime Day sites, emails and calls spreading
Amazon’s fall Prime Big Deal Days sale is next week on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9. Yes, I’ll be sharing all the best deals. But the most important thing I want you to know is that scammers are hard at work creating lookalike sites and emails to trick you while you’ve got your credit card out.
Gone are the days of crappy rip-offs. Today’s crooks create fake websites that look just like the ones they’re imitating. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back, and I’m here to help you spot the scams and shop safely.
Carbon copy
Over the last 30 days, Check Point Research has discovered more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related domains — and 88% of them are malicious or suspicious.
One out of every 54 of the new domains includes the phrase “Amazon Prime,” because they want your search to lead right to them.
- Examples: Domain names ending with .com, like “amazonprimemotels,” “amazonprimeresort” and “amazonprimeresorts.”
Many of these domains are “parked,” meaning they’re not in use — yet. Scammers like to get their ducks in a row and create sites that are ready to go live when it’s Prime (Day) time.
As for those sites that already have content up, most look and feel close enough to the real deal to catch the attention of unsuspecting shoppers browsing quickly. More than anything, scammers bank on you seeing the Amazon name and logo.
Calls and emails work, too
Check Point found more than 100 different Prime-focused scam email campaigns. Many impersonate Amazon Financial Services, asking you to update your payment details or other personal information.
They might look something like this:
If an Amazon rep calls to inform you something’s wrong with your account, it’s fake. They’ll try to get you to confirm personal or financial info. Hang up.
‘Primed’ and ready
Be smarter than the crooks. If a deal or offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Step No. 1: Slo-o-o-ow down.
- Closely review those URLs. Misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (e.g., .co instead of .com) are huge red flags.
- Create a super-strong password for your Amazon account. I bet it’s been a while since you changed it.
- Look for the secure sign. When you go to a major retail website, verify the URL starts with “https://” and has a padlock icon.
- Check your emails carefully. Most phishing attacks use urgent language to trick you into clicking links or downloading attachments. Always verify the source and cross-check it with a company’s official website.
- Pay with credit cards. Debit cards are linked to your bank account, and getting your money back is more complicated.
🫣 In case you want to see some early Amazon Big Deal Days sales, here’s the secret link. Share this with a pal — you know, the one who falls for tricks a little too easily. They’ll thank you later.
Don’t get left behind – Stay tech ahead
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
- National radio show: Find your local station or listen to the podcast
- Daily newsletter: Join 575,000 people who read The Current (free!)
- Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel
- Podcast: “Kim Komando Today” – Listen wherever you get podcasts
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tags: Amazon, Amazon Prime, Amazon Prime Day, deals, email scams, fake sites, sales
Share: