Amazon Prime Day, the highly anticipated annual sales extravaganza hosted by Amazon, is poised to captivate shoppers once again. From July 11 to July 12, 2023, Amazon Prime members will have exclusive access to a multitude of “epic deals” featuring personalized offers and renowned brands. This fabricated shopping holiday was introduced by Amazon on July 15, 2015, as a clever means to commemorate the company’s 20th birthday while igniting a shopping frenzy during the typically lackluster summer period.
However, amidst the excitement, it is crucial for consumers to exercise caution during shopping holidays, as they often attract scammers seeking to exploit unsuspecting shoppers. To ensure a secure shopping experience, it is imperative to follow these essential cautionary measures:
- Fake Texts and Delivery Scams:
- Exercise caution when receiving texts that claim issues with your orders or package deliveries, especially if they mention incorrect addresses or impersonate reputable delivery services such as the U.S. Postal Service or UPS.
- Refrain from clicking on any links provided in such texts, as they can expose you to identity theft or attempts by scammers to deceive you into resolving a fictitious bank account problem.
- Disregard any customer support requests that prompt you to press buttons or dial numbers, as this may connect you to scammers posing as legitimate assistance.
- Social Media Ads:
- Pay close attention to URLs when shopping online to identify potential scams. Scammers often create lookalike websites by slightly altering domain names or adding terms like “online” to familiar brand names.
- Verify the legitimacy of the websites you visit by ensuring they display accurate spelling, legitimate contact information, and authentic customer service numbers. Trust your instincts and thoroughly evaluate deals before making a purchase.
- Be cautious when purchasing high-demand items at significantly discounted prices, as scammers may employ tactics like using counterfeit goods or failing to deliver the promised products.
- Stolen Merchandise:
- Exercise caution when encountering seemingly unbeatable deals, as scammers may sell stolen goods or counterfeit products. Notably, popular brands such as Nike, NFL, Apple, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, and LEGO are frequently targeted.
- Take extra precautions when purchasing items from well-known brands, as scammers often attempt to deceive unsuspecting consumers with counterfeit goods.
To ensure a safe and secure shopping experience:
- Report any suspicious communication claiming to be from Amazon, even if you don’t have an account, by contacting [email protected].
- Be aware that online shopping fraud ranks high among consumer complaints, with significant reported losses and instances of package non-delivery or receiving low-value items instead of expected high-value products.
- Stay vigilant, use trusted platforms, and exercise caution while shopping online to minimize the risk of falling victim to scams and fraudulent activities.
So, mark your calendars for July 11 and 12, 2023, and get ready for Amazon Prime Day, one of the largest shopping events globally. Exclusive to Prime members, this two-day extravaganza will showcase a wide range of products at substantial discounts. Since its inception in July 2015, Prime Day has gained immense popularity, and in 2021, it achieved remarkable success with sales exceeding $10 billion. Be prepared for incredible deals and savings as Amazon continues to redefine the shopping experience for its loyal customers.