Don’t let scammers ruin your Mother’s Day shopping: Tips to avoid fake deals and phishing
Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and this year is expected to see record spending. Unfortunately, that also means scammers are working overtime to take advantage of shoppers looking for gifts online. Here’s what’s happening and how you can protect yourself without losing the convenience of internet shopping.
What happened
According to a report by WREX, consumer spending for Mother’s Day is projected to hit record levels this year. With more people buying gifts online, fraudsters are stepping up their efforts. Common tactics include fake discount websites, phishing emails promising exclusive deals, and social media ads for counterfeit goods. While the article doesn’t detail specific scam cases, the pattern is consistent with what we see around major holidays: increased volume of fraudulent activity targeting shoppers in a rush.
Why it matters
Shopping scams cost consumers millions of dollars every year, and Mother’s Day is a prime target because of the emotional urgency—people want to find the perfect gift and may not scrutinize a deal as carefully as they would at other times. Falling for a fake website or phishing email can lead to stolen credit card information, identity theft, or simply losing money on an item that never arrives. Even a seemingly small purchase can cause headaches if your personal data ends up in the wrong hands.
The risk is especially high for people who are less familiar with online shopping safety—perhaps an older relative buying flowers or a parent ordering a last-minute gift from a link they saw on social media. Knowing the warning signs can save time, money, and frustration.
What readers can do
If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day this week, here are practical steps to avoid the most common traps.
Spot the red flags
- Too-good-to-be-true prices. A luxury handbag for 90 percent off? That’s almost certainly a fake site. Compare prices with well-known retailers. If the discount is far below market average, it’s a strong warning sign.
- Urgent language. Emails or ads that say “limited time only” or “offer ends in 2 hours” are designed to make you act without thinking. Legitimate sales give you time to decide.
- Unfamiliar payment methods. If a site asks you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, walk away. Credit cards offer fraud protection; these methods do not.
Verify the seller before you buy
- Check the website URL for HTTPS (the padlock icon) and look for misspellings in the domain name—like “annataylor-offers.com” instead of “anntaylor.com.”
- Search for the business name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems.
- Read product reviews on the site itself but also cross‑check on independent platforms. Beware of glowing five‑star reviews that sound generic—they may be fake.
Use secure payment methods
A credit card is your safest option because you can dispute charges if something goes wrong. Debit cards offer less protection. Avoid saving your payment information on a site you’ve never used before. Some banks also offer virtual credit card numbers for one‑time use, which adds an extra layer of security.
Watch what you click
Phishing emails often mimic well‑known stores like Amazon, Macy’s, or local florists. They might say there’s a problem with your order or a special deal just for you. Don’t click links in unsolicited emails. Instead, go directly to the store’s website by typing the URL yourself or using a bookmark.
If you get scammed
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the fraud and request a chargeback.
- Change your passwords for any accounts you may have shared during the purchase.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and may help others avoid the same scheme.
No single step guarantees safety, but combining these habits will reduce your risk significantly. The goal isn’t to avoid online shopping altogether—just to do it with your eyes open.
Sources
- “Watch for Mother’s Day shopping scams amid record spending,” WREX, May 7, 2026.
- General scam prevention guidance is based on widely recommended practices from consumer protection organizations. For authoritative details, see the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer alert on holiday shopping scams.