Amazon Prime Big Deal Days returns on 6 and 7 October, with shoppers across the UK preparing to hunt for discounts. But consumer scam protection experts at TrendLife are warning people not to let the rush for a bargain cloud their judgement.
With shoppers expecting more promotional emails and delivery updates than usual, scammers can use the noise around Prime Day to make fake messages and offers feel more convincing. TrendLife’s Scam Hunting team found that around the previous Prime Day event in June, 89.7% of the Amazon-related scam activity it detected in the UK appeared just before the event began.
The rise of generative AI is adding to the challenge. Fraudsters can now create realistic fake websites and promotional content faster and at greater scale. With 47% of UK adults struggling to tell genuine online offers from AI-generated fakes, shoppers face an increasingly difficult task spotting what is real.
TrendLife’s Scam Hunting team has identified the following scams for consumers to look out for this Prime Day:
· Fake delivery messages arrive when parcels are expected:
TrendLife detected 17 UK scams impersonating carriers including Evri, Royal Mail and DPD, with 58.8% appearing during the Prime Day window
· Urgency is used to make shoppers act quickly:
Common messages claimed there had been a “missed delivery”, a signature was required or an address needed updating within 12 or 24 hours
· Some messages ask recipients to reply ‘Y’:
This tactic can be used to get around protections that block links from unknown senders and should be treated with suspicion
· Prime membership alerts are another route in:
TrendLife has observed phishing emails claiming that a Prime payment has failed or an account is at risk of cancellation, with more advanced versions designed to steal Amazon credentials, personal information and payment details
With shoppers likely to receive more offers, order updates and delivery messages over the coming days,
Brett Parker, Consumer Partnerships Lead at TrendLife, provides advice for staying safe this Prime Day:
· Go directly to Amazon.
If you receive an email or text about a deal, payment issue or account warning, avoid following the link. Open the official Amazon app or website yourself instead
· Check delivery updates through the official carrier.
If you receive a missed delivery or address update message, check your order status directly through Amazon or the delivery company’s official app or website
· Never reply ‘Y’ to activate a link.
Messages asking you to reply before reopening a link should be treated as a red flag
· Be wary of requests for financial information.
Reputable organisations will not unexpectedly contact you asking for card or bank details. If you are unsure, contact the company directly using verified details
· Check the sender and website carefully.
Fake sites can closely copy legitimate branding, so scrutinise email addresses and URLs before entering personal or payment information
· Use security tools:
TrendLife and Cifas’s JustMe can help you verify whether a link or website is legitimate before you share any personal or payment information
“Prime Day is a great opportunity to pick up a bargain, but where there’s excitement, urgency and lots of people ready to spend, scammers won’t be far behind,” said Parker.
“Fraudsters know shoppers are looking for limited-time deals and expecting more emails and delivery updates than usual, and they will use that to their advantage. A fake payment warning, missed delivery text or account alert can look completely believable when you’re already waiting for an order.
“The best way to stay safe is to slow down, stick to official sources and take a few moments to verify before you click. If something doesn’t look right, go directly to Amazon or the delivery company rather than following a link in a message. A little caution can make the difference between grabbing a bargain and handing your details to a scammer.”
