How to Avoid Mother’s Day Shopping Scams This Year
Mother’s Day is one of the biggest spending occasions of the year, and 2026 is expected to be no exception. According to recent reports, total spending could top $35 billion. That kind of money attracts scammers as much as it attracts shoppers. If you’re buying gifts online this week, a few minutes of caution could save you from losing both your money and your peace of mind.
What’s Happening
Local news outlets like WREX have reported a surge in scam activity tied to Mother’s Day shopping. These scams take familiar forms—fake websites that look like real stores, phishing emails claiming to offer “exclusive” deals, and social media ads that lead to pages that either steal your payment info or never ship anything. Gift card scams also spike during holidays, with fraudsters asking for payment in gift card codes under the guise of a limited-time offer.
Why It Matters Now
When consumers are in a hurry to find the perfect gift, they’re more likely to click without thinking. Scammers know this. They design their traps to look legitimate, often copying the branding of well-known retailers. And because people are spending more than usual—some estimates suggest the average shopper will spend well over $200 on Mother’s Day—the potential losses are bigger.
The Federal Trade Commission has issued warnings about increased gift card and social media scams during holiday periods. Once you share a gift card number or make a payment through an unsecured site, recovering that money is difficult, sometimes impossible.
What You Can Do
You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. A few straightforward checks can make a big difference.
Stick with known retailers. If you’re tempted by an ad on social media for a site you’ve never heard of, pause. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see what others have experienced. If the site was created just a few months ago, that’s a red flag.
Verify the URL. Scammers often use addresses that are one letter off from a real store (like “annazone.com” instead of “amazon.com”). Check the URL bar before entering any payment information.
Use a credit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If something goes wrong, you’re more likely to get your money back.
Avoid gift card payments for goods. No legitimate retailer will ask you to pay for a purchase with gift cards from other companies. That’s a classic scam sign.
Watch for phishing emails. If you receive a message that claims to be from a store you shop at, don’t click the link. Instead, open your browser and go directly to the store’s website.
Be skeptical of deep discounts. A 70% off deal on a popular item during a busy shopping season is rarely real. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
Act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the charge. Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you shared personal information, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering any funds.
Sources
- WREX news report on Mother’s Day scam activity (May 2026)
- Federal Trade Commission consumer alerts on gift card and social media scams
Enjoy the holiday, and don’t let a scam ruin it. A little caution goes a long way.