Don’t Let a Scam Ruin Mother’s Day: How to Spot Fake Deals and Shop Safely

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest spending weekends of the year, and this year is shaping up to be no exception. According to recent news reports, consumers are expected to spend record amounts on gifts, flowers, brunch reservations, and experiences. That flood of money has also drawn the attention of scammers who know shoppers are in a hurry and looking for a deal.

If you’re shopping online for Mom — or helping someone else shop — it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand the tactics scammers are using right now. Most scams are avoidable once you know what to look for.

What’s happening

Local outlets like WREX and consumer protection agencies have been warning that Mother’s Day shopping scams are on the rise. The pattern is familiar: fake online stores pop up offering steep discounts on popular gift items — jewelry, handbags, electronics, flowers — then disappear after taking payments. Scammers also send phishing emails impersonating major retailers, offering “limited-time” Mother’s Day deals that lead to look-alike websites designed to steal credit card numbers.

Another common scheme involves delivery notifications. Shoppers receive a text or email claiming a package couldn’t be delivered and asking for a small fee to reschedule. These messages often contain malicious links that harvest personal information or install malware.

Counterfeit luxury goods are also a perennial problem around gift-giving holidays. Scammers set up slick-looking sites that sell knockoffs at nearly retail prices, leaving the buyer with a low-quality imitation and no way to get a refund.

Why it matters now

The timing of Mother’s Day makes it especially risky. Many shoppers leave gifts until the last minute, which means they’re more likely to click on a “fast shipping” ad without vetting the seller. Scammers count on that sense of urgency.

There’s also the emotional angle. People want to give their mothers something special, and scammers exploit that by offering exactly the item Mom wanted at a price that seems too good to be true. On a day meant to celebrate, a failed or fraudulent purchase can be especially disappointing — and expensive.

What you can do to stay safe

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. A few simple habits help:

  • Stick with known retailers or verified sellers. If you’re buying from a marketplace like Amazon or Etsy, check the seller’s history and reviews. Avoid sites you’ve never heard of that are running flash sales.
  • Inspect the URL. A legitimate site will have a professional domain name. Look for misspellings, extra characters, or “http” instead of “https.”
  • Pay with a credit card or a payment service like PayPal. These offer fraud protection that wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency do not. If a seller insists on one of those methods, that’s a red flag.
  • Watch for pressure tactics. Urgency messaging like “only 3 left” or “offer ends in 30 minutes” is a common scam trigger. Take a moment to search for the company name plus the word “scam” before entering any payment details.
  • Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or texts. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address yourself.

If you do fall for a scam, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge and freeze the card. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovering the money.

Sources and further reading

  • WREX, “Watch for Mother’s Day shopping scams amid record spending,” May 7, 2026.
  • FTC, “Shopping for the holidays? Watch out for these scams.” (Updated annually)
  • Better Business Bureau, “BBB tips to avoid gift shopping scams.”

Mother’s Day should be about showing appreciation, not chasing refunds. A little caution before you click can keep the focus where it belongs — on celebrating the moms in your life.