BBB Scam Alert: Phishing Emails May Target Shoppers With Post-Prime Day Offers

Prime Day may be over, but scammers probably aren’t calling it quits yet. Con artists have been known to send phony emails and texts that look like messages from major retailers, instructing you to redeem the reward points accrued during your shopping days. Just hit delete on these phishing messages!

How the scam works

You receive an unsolicited email or text message appearing to be from a major retailer. (BBB has seen scammers use the names of Amazon, Kohls and Costco… but any company can be spoofed.) The subject line reads something like, “You Have a New Reward to Claim!”

You open the message, and it looks real. There’s the company logo, colors and a link to claim the reward points or gift from your recent holiday shopping.  As curious as you may be, don’t fall for it. Scammers hide malware in these email links or attachments. When you click, they can gain access to your computer and steal your sensitive personal information.

BBB has also seen these phishing scams pop up during the winter holidays and other major shopping events.

Avoid falling for email phishing scams

Never click on links or download attachments from unknown emails. Out-of-the-blue emails are often an attempt to download malware to your computer and steal your personal information.

Don’t take unsolicited emails at face value. Scammers often send out mass emails that contain little or no personal information. Be wary if the email doesn’t mention you or include any personal information.

Hover on links to see their destination. Before clicking, place your mouse over links to discover their true destination.

Go to the source. Whenever possible, use the customer service information provided when you made your purchase, rather than searching online.

For more information

Learn more about phishing scams at BBB.org/PhishingScam.

If you’ve gotten a phony email from a retailer, help others avoid the same pitfall by filing a scam report at BBB.org/ScamTracker.

ABOUT BBB SERVING CENTRAL INDIANA: The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands and charities they can trust for over 110 years. In 2021, people turned to BBB more than 200 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 6.3 million businesses and Charity Reports on 25,000 charities, free at BBB.org. Local, independent BBBs can be found across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, including BBB Serving Central Indiana, which was founded in 1916 and serves 46 counties.