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New warning over common Amazon scams to look out for this Prime Day

Amazon Prime carries many bargains, it also carries fraud risks – buyer beware.

US streaming giants Amazon Prime and Netflix were big pandemic winners but have turned their sights to countries such as Thailand as new sign-ups level off in established markets
US streaming giants Amazon Prime and Netflix were big pandemic winners but have turned their sights to countries such as Thailand as new sign-ups level off in established markets - Copyright AFP/File Martin BUREAU
US streaming giants Amazon Prime and Netflix were big pandemic winners but have turned their sights to countries such as Thailand as new sign-ups level off in established markets - Copyright AFP/File Martin BUREAU

The Amazon Prime Day event runs from Tuesday, 8th July, to Friday, 11th July, 2025, and while the odd exciting deals might appear, it is important to be mindful of common scams.

The QR Code Generator has commissioned a survey to study the most common Amazon scams and how you can avoid them during the potential imminent shopping frenzy this coming Prime Day. 

Prime membership scam 

These scams often start with an unexpected call, text or email from someone claiming there is an issue with your account. They may send you an email saying your account is at risk of being deleted, prompting you to click a link to verify your details. Alternatively, they may call or text you stating that there is an issue with your account that requires an additional payment, hoping to get your bank details. 

This is especially common in the run-up to Amazon Prime Day, with the event available exclusively to Prime members. 

To avoid this, always check the sender of any email or text you receive. As convincing as scammers can be, Amazon will never ask you to share sensitive information via phone, text, or email. If you receive one of these messages, don’t engage with it. Instead, go directly to the Amazon app or website to check the status of your account.  

Fake order confirmation scam 

During Prime Day sales, scammers often send fake emails claiming that there has been an issue with your recent order or that a payment or delivery has failed. These emails usually contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal your personal details and payment information.  

If you receive an email regarding an issue with your order, do not click any links. Instead, check the status of any orders through the Amazon app or website. It is also advisable to enable two-factor authentication for extra security.  

Fake listing scam  

Shoppers will be searching for the best bargains during the sale; however, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers create fake storefronts on Amazon, offering high-demand items at unbeatable prices. Once an unsuspecting customer places an order, they either receive a counterfeit product or nothing at all.  

To avoid this, it is important to always check a seller’s reviews and be cautious of deals that seem suspicious. Stick to well-reviewed sellers or those marked as “Amazon Verified.” If you do fall victim to a fake listing scam, you can often resolve this by contacting Amazon. Click “I have an issue with a seller” on the Amazon app or website to start the refund process. However, while you may get your money back, it is safest to avoid this scam altogether.  

Looking at these trends, Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, tells Digital Journal: “The Amazon Prime Day sale offers some great deals, and with Amazon only holding the event twice a year, it’s definitely one that shoppers look forward to. 

“While the sale is exciting and shoppers will be rushing to grab a bargain, criminals will be gearing up to scam as many people as possible. Scammers take advantage of the shopping frenzy, knowing that customers are often more trusting and less vigilant when they are distracted by the deals.”

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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