All Amazon Prime users must stay 'alert' - your account might be at risk tomorrow

If you have a Prime account with Amazon, you need to be on high alert this week. The online retailer is about to kickstart two days of deals. That's clearly great for bargain hunters, but it's also a prime time to be scammed. With so many of us rushing to grab a discount, cyber security experts are warning that online crooks will be looking for easy ways to cash in.

According to the team at Check Point - ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, which starts on October 7 - it's already seen over 700 Amazon-related domains registered online, with 1 in every 18 flagged as malicious or suspicious.

More worryingly, Check Point also says that 1 in every 36 domains specifically contained the phrase “Amazon Prime.”

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Anyone planning on going online shopping must now watch out for emails or texts that suggest an Amazon payment hasn't gone through. Another trick used by scammers is a fake message that claims Prime accounts have been put on hold.

If fooled, these attacks could hand vital details such as passwords and bank details over to hackers.

"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.