There’s another big week of offers ahead with Amazon about to unleash a new sale. The Prime Big Deal Days event kicks off on Tuesday, October 8 and will feature swathes of discounts on products such as TVs, smartphones, tablets and Kindles. As long as you have access to Prime, you’ll be able to cash in and save, but beware.
Although this is a good time to grab a bargain, it could also be a prime time to get scammed. It appears that cyber crooks are using the lure of Amazon Prime offers to catch consumers out.
Security experts are warning that, ahead of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale, it’s already seen over 700 Amazon-related domains registered online. That could mean online thieves are getting ready to attack.
According to Check Point, 1 in every 18 of these new domains was flagged as malicious or suspicious and 1 in every 36 domains specifically contained the phrase “Amazon Prime.”
If you are planning to go online shopping this week, there are some things to watch out for. These include receiving emails that suggest an Amazon payment hasn’t gone through, along with messages that claim your Prime account has been put on hold.
Most of the scams will attempt to trick you into handing over passwords and credit card details, which the hackers can then use to steal money.
“Amazon Prime Day 2025 brings deals, but also danger,” Check Point explained.
“Cyber criminals are launching phishing campaigns and fake domains to trick shoppers. By staying alert, following best practices, and verifying every link or email before clicking, you can reduce your risk and enjoy shopping safely during Amazon Prime Day 2025.”
Here are some top tips to avoid being scammed.
• Double-check domains: Only trust official sites like Amazon.com
• Avoid email/PDF links: Go directly to Amazon via your browser.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your Amazon account.
• Use layered protection: Comprehensive security across email, browsers, endpoints, mobile devices, and networks helps lower the risk before threats reach you.
• Look closely at content: Scrutinise URLs, attachments, and text in unexpected emails or messages for signs of phishing.
So, the advice is clear. Enjoy the upcoming sale event, but stay alert and watch out for suspicious texts, emails and websites.