Scams to look out for heading into Amazon Prime Day

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two of the biggest online shopping days of the year are coming this week, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding shoppers to keep your eye out for scammers.

“Amazon Prime Day may be a great opportunity for deals, but it’s crucial to stay alert against scams and predatory practices,” Nessel said in a statement . “By being aware and taking simple precautions, you can protect yourself and enjoy a safe shopping experience.”

Amazon Prime Day runs Tuesday and Wednesday this week, offering some deep discounts for Prime members. But there are several red flags to watch out for, including phony reviews and phishing attempts to steal your private information.

One of the latest trends is to use AI-generated reviews to boost a product’s rating. Nessel’s team recommends buyers conduct their own research on products, including checking reviews and ratings from other sites and ensure they are only following “Amazon verified” reviews.

With so many transactions flying, your inbox or your phone may start to pile up with messages. Nessel’s team says to make sure you are responding and sharing information with the right people, not scammers.

Phishing emails or smishing texts will pose as a seller to try and steal your personal information. The AG’s office recommends you always check the sender’s email address to make sure it is tied to the correct website, to use spam filters to try and catch scammers and to avoid clicking on links or attachments from unsolicited messages.

Scammers will also try other strategies to trick consumers, including spoofing websites and even providing fake customer support. Safe browsing tools can help shoppers determine whether a website is real or a fake. Any questionable calls should be reported to Amazon’s customer service team and Michigan’s Robocall Crackdown Team .

You can file a complaint with Michigan’s Consumer Protection Team through the AG Office’s website .

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