Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner, taking place on July 16 and 17, 2024. As bargain hunters and shoppers prepare for the big day, fraudsters are also preparing to take advantage of the situation.
Scammers Create Fake Websites
One way scammers plan to exploit Prime Day is by creating fake websites that mimic the Amazon brand. These illegitimate sites are often advertised through phishing emails that appear to lead to an offer on Amazon.
New Amazon-Related Domains Created
In June 2024, over a thousand new Amazon-related domains were created. According to reports, 85 percent of them are classified as malicious or suspicious, with some using the term “Amazon Prime”.
The intention is to obtain personal information or bank account login details
The intention behind these scams is usually to obtain personal information or bank account login details. On some pages, you may be asked to log in with your Amazon account. If it’s not an official login from the shipping giant, the account can be taken over by fraudsters to make purchases and steal your data.
Beware of these websites
Be cautious of websites with official-sounding names, such as “amazon-onboarding”, “shopamazon”, “amazon-billing”, or “connect-amazon”. Some scammers may also use country codes in the URL to specifically imitate shop pages from countries like Mexico, India, or the USA.
How to Protect Yourself
To protect yourself from these scams:
- Be sure to pay attention to the domain an alleged Amazon offer wants to direct you to.
- Use sites like Netify to check the domains.
- Be wary of emails that appear to be from Amazon, but contain spelling mistakes or ask for login details.
- Always look for the abbreviation HTTPS in front of the URL.
- Check offers carefully before buying, and be suspicious of deals that promise astronomical savings.
Remember to stay vigilant and protect your personal information and bank account details.