Don’t Get Scammed This Mother’s Day: 3 Fraud Alerts You Need to Know

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, and unfortunately, scammers know that. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued an annual alert warning consumers about fraudulent offers, fake websites, and phishing messages that target people looking for gifts. Whether you’re buying flowers, jewelry, or a spa package, a few minutes of caution can save you money and frustration.

What Happened

The BBB reports a spike in scam complaints around major gift-giving holidays, and Mother’s Day is no exception. Fraudsters set up lookalike online stores, send emails claiming “huge discounts for Mom,” and run social media giveaways that only exist to collect personal information or payment details. These campaigns are often timed to catch people in a hurry or looking for a last‑minute deal.

Why It Matters

Scams like these are common because they work. Fake websites can look convincing, and a message with a subject line like “Don’t miss the perfect gift” can easily trick someone who is stressed or distracted. Victims may lose money directly, or have their credit card numbers and personal data stolen. Even if the amount lost is small, the hassle of disputing charges and monitoring accounts isn’t.

The good news: most of these scams follow the same few patterns. Once you know what to look for, they become much easier to spot.

1. Fake Online Stores

Scammers create websites that mimic real brands or offer goods at prices that seem too good to be true. Often the site will have a URL with a small misspelling (e.g., “amazonsale-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com”) or use a generic design that doesn’t include contact information or a physical address.

What to do:

Check the URL carefully before entering payment info.
Look for trust signals like a padlock icon in the browser bar, but remember that a padlock only means the connection is encrypted—it doesn’t guarantee the site is legitimate.
Search for the business name plus “scam” or “BBB” to see if others have reported problems.
If the only payment options are wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, that is a major red flag.

2. Phishing Emails and Texts

A common tactic is to send an email or text that looks like it’s from a retailer, delivery service, or even a family member, urging you to click a link to confirm an order, track a package, or claim a discount. The link leads to a fake login page that steals your email password or credit card number.

What to do:

Don’t click links in unsolicited messages. Instead, open your browser and go directly to the retailer’s website.
Be suspicious of urgent language like “last chance” or “account suspending.”
Hover over a link (without clicking) to see the real destination address.
If a message claims to be from a company you use, check your account directly through the official app or website.

You see a post from a friend or an ad on Facebook or Instagram: “Win a $500 spa package for your mom! Just share and comment.” These posts often ask you to click a link, fill in your email, or provide other personal details. The winner never exists—the scammer collects data to use for future fraud or sells it.

What to do:

Be wary of any giveaway that asks for a lot of personal information or requires you to share the post before you’re eligible.
Look for accounts with few followers, no history, or generic profile pictures.
Search for the exact wording of the giveaway plus “scam” to see if others have flagged it.
If you want to enter a real contest, verify it on the brand’s official website.

Quick Tips for Safe Shopping

Use a credit card (not a debit card) for online purchases—credit cards offer better fraud protection.
Keep your computer and phone updated, and use a security extension that blocks known scam sites.
Shop directly from brands you trust rather than clicking random ads.
For gift cards, buy them directly from the store’s register or the store’s own website.
If a deal seems impossibly good, it likely is.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report unauthorized charges and request a chargeback.
Change your passwords for any accounts you may have used or that share that password with other sites.
File a report with the BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker) and the Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov).
Monitor your accounts for any other suspicious activity in the weeks after the incident.

Scammers rely on urgency and emotion. If something feels off, slow down and check it. A few extra minutes of research can keep your Mother’s Day gift from turning into a headache.

Sources

Better Business Bureau – annual holiday scam alerts
Daily Herald article: “BBB scam alert: Con artists target Mother’s Day shoppers” (May 7, 2026)
Federal Trade Commission – tips on avoiding online shopping scams