Don’t Let a Mother’s Day Scam Spoil Your Gift — How to Shop Safely Amid Record Spending

Mother’s Day is just days away, and if you haven’t bought a gift yet, you’re part of a large, last-minute crowd. The National Retail Federation is projecting record spending this year — something that fraudsters are already betting on. Scammers know that shoppers under time pressure are more likely to click first and think later. Before you hit “buy” on that perfect bouquet or the discounted electronics deal your mom has been eyeing, take a moment to understand the most common traps.

What Happened

Local news outlets, including WREX, have warned consumers to watch for an uptick in Mother’s Day shopping scams as holiday spending reaches historic levels. The pattern is familiar: scammers create fake websites, send phishing texts that look like delivery notifications, and run social media ads for deals that are too good to be true. Because so many people are shopping online in a hurry, the opportunity for fraud is larger than usual.

Why It Matters

When you’re short on time, the red flags are easy to miss. Here are the scams that typically spike around gift-giving holidays:

  • Fake product sites. You search for a popular gift — a designer handbag, an appliance, or specialty flowers — and a website appears that looks real at first glance. The prices are noticeably low. The “store” may accept only debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. You place an order, receive a confirmation, and then nothing arrives. The site vanishes within weeks.

  • Phishing texts and emails. A text arrives that says “Your delivery is delayed — confirm your address here.” It might claim to be from a well-known courier or from a retailer you actually used. The link leads to a fake login page designed to steal your credit card details or your Amazon password. These messages often feel urgent to push you to act without verifying.

  • Counterfeit gift cards. Scammers will also list discounted gift cards on auction sites or social media. The card may have a zero balance, or the activation code was already used. Gift card fraud is especially common around Mother’s Day because they are a go-to last-minute gift.

The Federal Trade Commission regularly warns that these schemes become more frequent during major shopping periods. The result is not just a wasted gift — you could lose money and expose your personal information to identity thieves.

What Readers Can Do

You can protect yourself without overthinking every purchase. Stick to these habits:

  • Shop on reputable sites. When buying from a lesser-known retailer, search for the company name plus “scam” or “review” before paying. Look for reviews on independent platforms, not just the ones posted on the site itself. If the only reviews are glowing and generic, be cautious.

  • Pay with a credit card. Under U.S. law, credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If the item never arrives or turns out to be counterfeit, you can dispute the charge. Avoid wiring money or using payment methods that are hard to reverse.

  • Check the deal carefully. If a price is 50% off what every other store is charging, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers rely on the “too good to be true” lure. Compare prices across a few known retailers before giving in to a steep discount.

  • Verify delivery notifications. If you get a text about a package you weren’t expecting, do not click the link. Go to the carrier’s official website or app and check tracking using your own reference number. The same goes for emails that claim you need to “update payment information” to complete an order.

  • Set up purchase alerts. Most credit cards and banks allow you to get real-time notifications when a transaction is made. Turn these on so that if a scammer does get your card number, you see the charge immediately and can act.

If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

Act fast. Contact your bank or credit card issuer right away to report the fraudulent transaction. They can reverse the charge and issue you a new card. Then file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you gave out your Social Security number or other sensitive information, consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

Sources

  • “Watch for Mother’s Day shopping scams amid record spending,” WREX (May 7, 2026).
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Holiday Scams: What to Know,” ftc.gov.

A few extra minutes of caution now can save you from weeks of headache — and make sure Mom gets the gift you actually wanted to give.