Thanks to Amazon Prime Day 2025, eager shoppers are busy adding items to their wish lists. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are preparing as well. In June alone, more than 1,000 newly registered domains mimicking Amazon’s name surfaced online. Shockingly, 87% of these sites have already been classified as either dangerous or potentially harmful. A significant number of these fraudulent URLs contain the phrase “Amazon Prime,” with approximately one in every 81 flagged domains using the term.
Why Prime Day Sparks a Spike in Online Scams:
Massive sales events like Prime Day are prime targets for digital fraud. Cyber attackers take advantage of the buzz and consumer activity using two major techniques:
Deceptive websites: Fake pages that closely resemble Amazon’s official sign-in or payment portals.
Phishing emails: Fraudulent messages designed to stir panic with claims such as “refund problems” or “account verification issues,” tricking users into clicking harmful links.
These imitation sites are crafted to harvest sensitive data, including usernames, passwords, and financial details. Falling for such a scam can result in unauthorized transactions, compromised identities, or stolen gift card balances.
As Prime Day draws closer, staying alert and practicing online safety is more important than ever.
How to Protect Yourself This Prime Day:
To stay safe while shopping during Prime Day, consider the following tips:
Double-check web addresses:
Scam sites often use slightly altered URLs. Look out for unusual domain endings like .top or .online, extra characters, or hyphens that don’t belong.
Avoid clicking on email links:
If you receive an email claiming to be from Amazon, don’t click on links. Instead, go directly to http://www.amazon.com or use the official Amazon app.
Look for secure connections:
Make sure the site uses HTTPS and shows a padlock in the address bar. While this helps, some phishing sites may still mimic these, so always verify the full URL.
Use strong passwords and enable 2FA:
Use a password manager to create complex, unique passwords, and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of security to your Amazon account.
Watch for urgent language:
Be cautious of messages that pressure you to act quickly—such as threats of account suspension or missed refunds. Scammers often rely on fear and urgency to get you to click.
As Amazon Prime Day 2025 nears, staying vigilant is key. A few extra seconds spent verifying a site or email could save you from falling victim to online fraud.
