BBB Offers Tips For Safe Online Shopping During Prime Day

Prime Day is always a hit, and Amazon isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts, with many other retailers running their sales. More deals are great for consumers, and more people out shopping is great for businesses large and small. Just be careful, and don’t get so caught up in the excitement that you fall for phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and look-alike websites. Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas (BBB) wants you to know what to look for when shopping for the big sales in July.

“BBB’s 2022 Scam Tracker Risk Report identified online purchase scams as the No. 1 riskiest scam affecting consumers in North America across all age groups, with a median loss of nearly $100,” said Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of BBB serving Eastern Carolinas. “That’s why it is more important than ever for consumers to be safe and savvy when shopping online.” 

BBB tips for online shopping the July retail sales:

• Beware of phishing attempts that appear to come from a popular retailer. Phishing increases during busy shopping, such as Prime Day or Black Friday. Any unsolicited or unexpected emails, texts, or phone calls asking for personal information are a red flag. These messages may claim you have a 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. Be certain that it is from the actual retailer before you click. 
• Watch out for social media ads. Look out for red flags for potential counterfeit items such as products that are priced significantly lower than what other retailers are charging, spelling and grammatical errors in the advertisements, and poor quality images. Before making a purchase, do a Google search of the business name followed by “complaints,” “reviews,” or “scam” and see what pops up. If you find other people have had issues with the business, steer clear.
• Beware of look-alike websites. At first glance, the sites appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But looking 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). Ensure websites use the correct business name spelling and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers.  
• 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.
• Professional photos do not mean it’s a real offer. Photos can be stolen from other websites, so don’t believe what you see.
• Be careful when purchasing sought-after products. If something is sold out everywhere, don’t be tempted by a seemingly great deal. If a company claims to sell the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably untrue. Here’s one example involving a name-brand tumbler cup.  
• Pay with a credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If you end up with a charge you need to dispute, you can contact your credit card company for help. Be very wary of any retailer that asks you to pay by digital payment apps, prepaid money cards, or other non-traditional payment methods. When making purchases, track your purchase and take note of any tracking numbers.  
• After you buy, stay alert for scams. Be on the lookout for post-Prime Day offers. Con artists have been known to send phony emails and texts that look like messages from major retailers, instructing you to redeem the reward points accrued during your shopping days. Just hit delete on these phishing messages! Also remember that porch pirates may try to swipe your packages. 

For more information

For more advice, read BBB’s tips on online shopping. If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to BBB ScamTracker. 

Receiving packages from Amazon that you didn’t order? See our article on Amazon brushing scams.

About BBB of Eastern Carolinas

Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 48 counties in North and South Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from over 5,200 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace.