BBB Warns: Don’t Get Tricked by These Mother’s Day Shopping Scams

Mother’s Day is just days away, and if you’re still looking for a gift, you’re not alone. Scammers know that too, and they’re actively setting up fake storefronts, sending phishing emails, and placing fraudulent ads on social media to take advantage of last-minute shoppers.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a scam alert on May 7, 2026, specifically warning about these seasonal schemes. Here’s what’s happening and how to protect yourself.

What’s Going On

According to the BBB alert, con artists are using several tried-and-true tactics that ramp up around holidays:

  • Fake websites that mimic popular retailers. They often use a slightly misspelled domain (like “amaz0n-gifts.com”) or a .shop extension that looks official at a glance.
  • Phishing emails promising “free gifts” or “exclusive Mother’s Day discounts.” These emails often contain links that lead to credential harvesting pages or malware.
  • Social media ads with too-good-to-be-true deals. You may see a sponsored post for a designer handbag at 80% off, but the product never arrives (or arrives as a cheap knock‑off).

Scammers create urgency with language like “Last chance for delivery by Mother’s Day” or “Only 3 left in stock.” That pressure is a red flag, not a real deadline.

Why It Matters

These scams are effective because they exploit trust and emotion. You’re thinking about making someone happy, not about verifying a URL. A single click can lead to stolen credit-card information, identity theft, or a compromised email account.

The BBB notes that younger, tech-savvy shoppers are not immune—many fall for well‑designed fake sites—but older adults and infrequent online shoppers are especially vulnerable. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, holiday shopping scams resulted in losses of over $350 million in 2024. Mother’s Day is a smaller window, but the techniques are the same.

How to Shop Safely

You don’t need to avoid online shopping altogether. A few checks can make the difference between a good deal and a headache.

1. Verify the website before entering any payment info

  • Look at the URL carefully. A secure site should start with “https://” and have a padlock icon, but that’s not enough—scammers can get SSL certificates too.
  • Search for the company name plus “scam” or “BBB rating.” Genuine businesses usually have a BBB profile.
  • Copy a sentence from the product description and paste it into Google. If the same text appears on many unrelated sites, the store is likely a template‑based fraud.

2. Be skeptical of unsolicited emails

  • Don’t click links in emails that claim to be from a store you didn’t sign up with.
  • Even if you recognize the brand, hover over the link (without clicking) and check the destination domain.
  • “Free gift” offers that ask for shipping details or a credit card for “verification” are almost always scams.

3. Use a credit card, not debit

  • Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. If a transaction is unauthorized, you can dispute the charge and typically get your money back.
  • Debit cards pull funds from your bank account directly, and recovering that money can take weeks.
  • Virtual card numbers (available through some banks and services like Privacy.com) add an extra layer of security.

4. Read reviews—carefully

  • Check independent review sites like Trustpilot or Sitejabber. Look for patterns: multiple reviews complaining about non‑delivery or poor quality.
  • Be wary of stores that only have glowing five‑star reviews, especially if they’re all from the same day.

What to Do If You’ve Already Been Scammed

If you realize you gave money or personal information to a fraudulent seller, act quickly.

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Tell them the transaction was fraudulent and ask for a chargeback or reversal.
  2. Change passwords for any accounts you used, especially if you reused that password elsewhere. Enable two‑factor authentication where possible.
  3. Report the scam to the BBB’s Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker. This helps them spot patterns and warn others.
  4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. They share data with law enforcement.
  5. Alert the retailer that was impersonated. Many large retailers have fraud teams that can take down fake sites.

Time matters. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to recover the money.

Stay Vigilant

The best defense is a simple one: if something feels off, it probably is. A deal that seems too good, an email that looks slightly strange, or a website that doesn’t look quite professional—all of those are worth a second look.

Mother’s Day is about appreciation, not stress. Taking an extra minute to verify a store or a link can save you from weeks of dealing with fraud.

Sources

  • BBB Scam Alert (May 7, 2026) via Daily Herald
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2024 Annual Report
  • Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice on Shopping Scams