Beware of Scams During Amazon Prime Day, Experts Warn

As Amazon Prime Day approaches, experts caution consumers to be vigilant about scams. The Better Business Bureau and other organizations stress the importance of recognizing phishing attempts and counterfeit products, noting a rise in fraudulent activity. Amazon also outlines common scam tactics like unsolicited emails and fake websites.

As Amazon Prime Day approaches, experts are issuing strong warnings for consumers to be on the lookout for scams. Seasonal sales events such as this often lead to a spike in phishing attempts and deceptive tactics targeting shoppers, according to the Better Business Bureau.

"This is a huge moment on the retail calendar," Josh Planos, vice president of communications and public relations at the Better Business Bureau, previously told The Associated Press. He noted that such big events provide a lucrative opportunity for scammers to exploit and defraud unsuspecting consumers.

A significant concern is the rise in lookalike websites and unsolicited messages, which have seen a record number of reports this year. Scott Knapp from Amazon highlighted that scams often mislead customers about order issues or Prime membership problems, stressing the importance of verifying all communications. The Federal Trade Commission also advises checking URLs for "HTTPS" to ensure website security and avoiding any pressure tactics from scammers.

(With inputs from agencies.)