SALT LAKE CITY — This year, Amazon isn’t the only retailer rolling out discounts for Prime Day (June 21-22, 2021).Walmart, Target and Kohl’s,just to name a few, are running competing sales.
But more deals mean more chances for scammers to capitalize on the buzz and trick shoppers. Be wary of phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and look-alike websites.
Scams to look out for:
Phishing scams that appear to come from a popular retailer.Phishing scams increaseduring busy shopping times, such as Prime Day or Black Friday.
When you are making a lot of purchases, it’s easy to lose track of exactly what you bought and where you shopped. That makes you more likely to fall for a phishing scam posing as a big name store.
Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls. These messages may claim you have a free gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with a delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information.
One recent phishing con claims to be Amazon calling to fix an issue with your account.
This is a ruse meant to get your credit card information, account login details, or remote access to your computer.
“Amazon is a big name with a lot of recognition. Scammers know that and are more likely to snag you by impersonating a service everyone uses,” said Jane Rupp, President and CEO of BBB Serving Northern Nevada and Utah.
One Utah woman was sent such a text, and a link to a website that looked exactly like Amazon except for the URL. Once she noticed the scammers asking for gift cards to claim your prize, she realized it was a scam.
Another woman received a message from a scammer claiming to be from the Amazon Fraud Department. The caller told her someone hacked her Amazon account and attempted to purchase $721.00 worth of items. “Of course, I called back immediately,” she said in a Scam Tracker report to BBB. The caller spent time going through her accounts to detect fraud, and eventually remotely accessed her bank account to show that she was being refunded $1,000. He told her the overpayment was an accident with the system due to COVID-19, and that she would have to pay the remainder back to Amazon via gift cards.
When she went to Walmart to get the gift card, the customer service representative smelled a scam and informed the victim. “At that point, I woke up and realized exactly how I had been manipulated,” she said to BBB. “I was overwhelmed about my account being hacked and failed to see all the signs of fraud that were rolling out in front of me.” She reported this incident to Amazon Customer Service, who contacted her by email to confirm that their company would never call a customer on the phone.
“When you’re in a panic, it’s hard to think clearly. You have to slow down and take the time,” said Rupp.
Beware of false advertising and phony websites. When searching online or browsing social media, watch out for ads that point to scam websites. Con artists often create lookalike websites that, at first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. But when you look 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).
Always make sure websites use the correct spelling of a business name and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers. Also, use common sense when evaluating deals. If a company claims to be selling the hottest item of the year at a super low price, it’s probably a con.
Tips to avoid online shopping scams this Prime Day:
Beware of fake look-alike websites: Check the URL, watch for bad grammar, research the age of the domain, search for contact information, and read online reviews.
Professional photos do not mean it’s a real offer. Scammers often steal photos off other websites, so don’t believe what you see.
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.
Be careful purchasing sought-after products. If something is sold out everywhere, don’t be tempted by a seemingly great deal. Scammers often trick shoppers by offering the most popular products at low prices. Here’s one example involving game consoles.
Pay with a credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges turn up later, you will be able to contest them through your credit card company. Be very wary of any retailer that asks you to pay bydigital wallet apps, prepaid money cards, or other non-traditional payment methods.
Learn more about avoidingscam social media adswhen shopping online.
