Amazon’s Prime Day has once again arrived, bringing along not just lucrative deals but also an unfortunate surge in scams. As consumers navigate the crowded online marketplace, scam artists are looking to exploit the event for their own gains, a concern reiterated by Better Business Bureau (BBB).
“These scams usually multiply during high-spending periods like Prime Day or Black Friday,” said Josh Planos, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations at BBB. It is at these times that scammers see the opportunity to leverage the consumer frenzy and manipulate individuals into parting with their hard-earned money.
Running over two days, Amazon Prime Day is packed with steep discounts that draw in millions of shoppers worldwide. However, consumers are cautioned to be vigilant against a variety of scam tactics, ranging from imitation websites to deceptive social media ads, and from unsolicited emails to dubious phone calls.
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Scott Knapp, Director of Worldwide Buyer Risk Prevention at Amazon, shed light on two commonly observed scams linked to Prime Day: Prime membership hoaxes and fake order confirmations. These scams often involve fraudulent requests for payment information or login credentials, usually using a false pretext.
Though it’s challenging to predict the exact nature of scams that might surface during Prime Day, it’s safe to expect that they will be variations of previous years’ scams. These can include counterfeit delivery scams, phishing attempts via emails, and more sophisticated hoaxes that use convincing imitations of legitimate shopping sites and communication.
One troubling trend is the increasing use of artificial intelligence in scams. “It’s the same old trick, just with machines sending the emails or texts now,” Knapp stated. According to Federal Trade Commission data, consumers reported losing approximately $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, a staggering 30% increase from the previous year.
To protect themselves from scams, consumers are urged to be wary of high-pressure tactics, ensure the security of websites by checking for “HTTPS” in the URL, and report any suspected scams to the regulatory bodies. They are also reminded to never share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers.
Aside from scams, shoppers should be cautious of counterfeit products and fake reviews. A surge in counterfeit products has been observed over the years, making it even harder for consumers to differentiate between genuine and fake goods. According to Planos, if a product is priced at less than 75% of its usual market rate, it’s a significant red flag.
Amazon has taken steps to combat counterfeiting, with the company reporting the removal of millions of counterfeit products and blocking billions of suspicious listings. They also actively encourage customers to report any suspect reviews or scams they come across.
As consumers rush to make the most of Prime Day deals, it’s essential to be alert and savvy to the potential pitfalls that come with it. Enjoy the sales, but remember: safety first in the world of online shopping.
This news is based on Malay Mail.
