As shoppers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico gear up for summer sales, headlined by Amazon Prime Day, the Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about potential online scams.
Last week, the BBB said malicious actors will try to take advantage of the sales and cheat unsuspecting customers.
In particular, the organization has urged shoppers to watch out for phishing links, fake websites, and misleading advertisements. Prime Day in North America is scheduled for July 11 and 12.
As with every year, the sale is set to offer massive discounts on a whole range of products, from electronics to daily household essentials. The mass appeal of the sale is another reason why it is a big target for cybercriminals.
How to Avoid Prime Day Scams
The increase in online scams can definitely be intimidating. However, it should not scare you from participating in massive summer sales. A little bit of caution and good cyber hygiene goes a long way in keeping yourself protected online.
When looking out for potential phishing links, always check the URL to make sure it matches the official site, and that the site is secure (“HTTPS” not “HTTP”). Thoroughly go through the landing page to check for spelling mistakes or other giveaways to spot a fake website. You can also interact with the menus, and scrutinize the pictures and reviews to see if everything checks out.
As a general rule, it’s advised to treat “too-good-to-be-true” deals with suspicion. Check if other websites or sales offer similar prices. If not, it’s a good idea to dig deeper and determine if the website you’re on is legitimate. To do so, go over to the contact us page and study the information carefully. Additionally, look for reviews of the website on a search engine.
You may even receive phone calls or text messages from people claiming to be sales representatives who offer you exclusive deals. Either avoid engaging in conversation with unfamiliar contacts or treat these communications with suspicion. Ask the representative questions to determine their identity, and avoid clicking on links that you did not request. It is a good idea to get a premium antivirus to keep yourself protected from malware. This will also protect you in case you accidentally click on a harmful link.
We also recommend paying for your purchases with a credit card so you can dispute any unforeseen charges. Many credit cards also offer virtual, one-time-use card numbers that you can lock immediately after a purchase.
Watch Out for Fourth of July-Themed Scams
Prime Day is not the only sale on online scammers’ radar. Malicious actors will also look to exploit Fourth of July deals and discounts in all kinds of ways.
This could include selling fake tickets to fireworks shows, flag-buying scams, and other July 4-themed events and merchandise. Victims could receive targeted emails, phone calls, or text messages which attempt to take advantage of their patriotism.
The BBB noted that one consumer reported a travel and rental con to their Scam Tracker tool — the person wasn’t able to get into their rented home or communicate with the owner after driving three hours to attend a Fourth of July celebration.
“After learning we couldn’t get into the rental, we drove to the local office for [the rental agency] and they were closed,” the consumer reported to the BBB. “A woman who worked nearby said we were the third family that week to show up looking for someone to talk about their rental and that she has never seen the office open. We drove all the way out to the coast and didn’t have anywhere to stay. As you can imagine, everything was booked for the Fourth of July. All the hotels were full.”
