Don’t Let Scammers Ruin Mother’s Day: How to Shop Safely Online This Year

Mother’s Day 2026 is expected to see record spending, according to the National Retail Federation. That means more shoppers hunting for deals on flowers, jewelry, electronics, and experiences. Unfortunately, it also means more scammers hunting for victims. Fraudsters know that shoppers are busier and more distracted during holiday periods, and they adjust their tactics accordingly. This year, you don’t have to be one of their targets.

What happened

Several news outlets, including WREX, have reported that law enforcement and consumer protection agencies are already seeing an uptick in Mother’s Day–related scams. The warnings come as the NRF projects total spending to surpass previous highs, driven in part by inflation and a desire to make up for leaner years. Scammers are taking advantage of that surge by flooding inboxes, social media feeds, and search results with fake deals that look almost identical to legitimate promotions.

Common patterns include unsolicited emails promising “50% off flowers – today only,” social media ads for luxury handbags at 90% off retail prices, and text messages claiming a package delivery failed. In each case, the goal is the same: get you to click a link, enter personal or payment information, or send money in a way that cannot be recovered.

Why it matters

The risk isn’t just wasted money. It’s also compromised financial accounts, stolen identities, and the hassle of cleaning up the mess. The Federal Trade Commission has consistently found that shopping scams spike around holidays, and Mother’s Day is no exception. Because people are often buying gifts for someone else, they may be less cautious than when shopping for themselves. It’s human nature to want to find the perfect gift at the best price – and scammers are experts at playing on that impulse.

Gift card fraud is especially common during Mother’s Day. A scammer might call or email, pretending to be a child or other relative who needs a gift card sent right away because of an emergency. Or a fraudster may set up a fake online store that only accepts gift cards as payment. Once the card numbers are provided, the money is gone and cannot be recovered.

What readers can do

Avoiding these scams doesn’t require paranoia – just a few simple habits.

  • Shop from trusted sources. Stick with retailers you know, or at least verify a new site by searching for reviews and checking for a physical address and customer service phone number. If a site has lots of typos, broken images, or a domain name that’s one letter off from a major brand, walk away.

  • Think twice before clicking links in unsolicited messages. Whether it’s an email, text, or direct message on social media, treat unexpected offers with suspicion. Instead of clicking, open your browser and type the retailer’s address yourself. That way, you can see whether the deal is real.

  • Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer better fraud protection. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge. Debit card withdrawals are harder to reverse. Also avoid payment methods like wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid gift cards unless you’re absolutely sure who you’re dealing with.

  • Watch for urgent or emotional language. Phrases like “act now,” “limited stock,” or “your mother will be disappointed” are designed to push you into making a quick decision. Legitimate sales give you time to think.

  • Enable two-factor authentication on your email, banking, and shopping accounts. This adds a second layer of security if your password is stolen.

If you do fall for a scam, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to stop or reverse the payment. Then file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov – your report helps them track patterns and warn others. Also monitor your credit report and account statements for any unusual activity.

Sources

  • WREX, “Watch for Mother’s Day shopping scams amid record spending,” May 7, 2026.
  • National Retail Federation, 2026 Mother’s Day spending projections.
  • Federal Trade Commission, consumer alerts and annual fraud reports.