Amazon Prime Day leads to spike in phishing attempts
Ahead of Amazon Prime Day, a highly-anticipated two-day online event, Bolster Research analyzed hundreds of millions of web pages and tracked the number of new phishing and fraudulent sites using the Amazon brand and logos. The researchers observed a spike in the number of new monthly phishing and fraudulent sites created using the Amazon brand since August, the most significant since the COVID-19 pandemic forced people indoors in March.
Shashi Prakash, CTO of Bolster, says, "The huge spike in phishing and fraud sites in September is a strong indication that cybercriminals will be active and trying to profit from the Prime Day frenzy. Shoppers need to stay alert to avoid giving up their personal information or buying products on fraudulent sites for things they will never receive. The best way shoppers can protect themselves is by understanding how to discern safe, secure activity from concerning warning signs that sites are fraudulent to avoid scams."