Amazon Prime Day Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Written By Cyber and Fraud Hub

Amazon Prime Day (8–11 July) is one of the most anticipated shopping events of the year. With deep discounts and limited-time offers for Prime members, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. Unfortunately, it's also a favourite time for scammers who want to take advantage of busy, distracted shoppers.

From fake websites to phishing texts, here’s what to watch out for, and how to protect yourself, while grabbing those Prime Day deals.

1. Only Shop Through Trusted Sources

In the lead-up to Amazon Prime Day 2025 TechRadar recently reported that over 120,000 malware, phishing, and scam websites have appeared in just the last two months, spoofing Amazon. Be cautious of links sent via email, text, or social media. Fraudsters often use these to redirect you to lookalike websites designed to steal your information.

Tip: Always go directly to Amazon.co.uk or use the official Amazon app. Hover over links before clicking. If the URL looks strange or doesn’t match the official domain, don’t trust it.

2. Watch Out For Phishing Attempts

Phishing is when fraudsters contact you while pretending to be a trusted organisation, aiming to trick you into sharing personal or financial information. Ahead of Prime Day, common examples include fake order confirmation scams, or fake messages about your Amazon Prime subscription claiming it’s expiring, being renewed, or needs verification. These messages typically include a link to “cancel” or “manage” your subscription, but clicking can lead to fraud or identity theft.

Tip: Never click links in unexpected emails or texts. If you’re unsure, go directly to amazon.co.uk or check your Amazon Message Centre to verify any account notifications. Warning signs of phishing can include poor spelling, suspicious sender addresses, urgent language, and requests for personal or payment information.

3. Avoid Lookalike Websites

Scammers often create convincing fake websites that mimic Amazon’s branding, layout, and checkout process. These lookalike sites are typically designed to collect your personal details or payment information, and sometimes to install malware on your device.

They may even appear as sponsored ads in search results or on social media, especially during high-traffic shopping events like Prime Day.

Tip: Before entering any personal or payment details, double-check the URL. Make sure it begins with https://www.amazon.co.uk and contains no misspellings or extra characters. Be cautious with deals promoted on unfamiliar sites or through random ads.

4. Be Wary of Scams on Social Media

Fraudsters increasingly use social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote fake deals, impersonate Amazon, or run scam giveaways. These posts may look professional and include Amazon branding, but they often link to fake websites or ask for personal and payment details under the guise of entering a contest or claiming a prize.

Tip: Stick to verified Amazon links and avoid clicking on deal ads or giveaways shared by unfamiliar accounts. If a discount or giveaway seems too good to be true, it probably is.

5. Strengthen Your Account Security

With phishing and credential-stealing scams on the rise, protecting your accounts is more important than ever. Weak password security or not using two-factor authentication will make it easier for fraudsters to gain access, especially if you’ve entered your login details on a fake site, or if your information has been exposed in a data breach.

Tip: Use a strong, unique password for your Amazon account and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.

6. Be Cautious of Unsolicited Support

Some fraudsters pose as Amazon customer service, either by phone, email, or even pop-up windows. They may claim there’s an issue with your account or a suspicious purchase, then attempt to get you to share personal information, install software, or transfer money.

Tip: Amazon will never ask for sensitive information, remote access, or payment over the phone. If you're contacted unexpectedly, hang up and contact Amazon through the official website or app.

7. Monitor Your Bank and Card Activity

Scammers often test stolen payment information with small charges before making larger fraudulent purchases. In some cases, fraud can go unnoticed for days or even weeks, especially if you're shopping frequently.

Tip: Check your bank and card statements regularly during and after Prime Day. If you see anything unusual, even a small charge, contact your bank immediately and report it to Amazon if the transaction appears linked to your account.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

If you’ve clicked on a suspicious link, shared personal information, or responded to a message that now seems fraudulent, it's important to act quickly.

Stay Calm

  • If you fall victim to an online shopping scam, stay calm and focused. This will help you respond to the situation more effectively.

Contact Your Bank or Payment Provider

  • If you've made a payment or shared card details, contact your bank immediately using a trusted number, such as the one on your bank card, bank statements, or their official website. They may be able to block or reverse unauthorised transactions.

Report the Scam

  • You can report a scam as a crime to Police Scotland on 101.

  • Call the Cyber and Fraud Hub on 0808 281 3580 for support and guidance from our expert team if you’ve experienced a cyber crime or fraud incident.

  • Inform the website or platform that you purchased from about the scam. The retailer may help prevent further fraud or investigate the issue.

  • If the scam involved a fake Amazon message, forward the email to stop-spoofing@amazon.com so their security team can investigate.

Review and Strengthen Security Measures

  • Update your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and ensure your device has up-to-date security.

Seek Emotional Support If Necessary

  • If the experience has left you feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to speak to someone you trust or reach out to a support organisation. Groups such as Victim Support Scotland and Samaritans Scotland can provide you with emotional support if an incident begins to impact your mental wellbeing.

Additional Resources

Visit our Resources page for further tools to enhance your cyber awareness and security.

Cyber and Fraud Hub
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