BBB Warning: Mother’s Day Scams Are on the Rise – How to Shop Safely
The Better Business Bureau has issued a timely alert as Mother’s Day approaches: scammers are ramping up efforts to trick holiday shoppers with fake online stores, social media ads, and phishing messages. The warning, first reported by the Daily Herald on May 7, comes as millions of people search for gifts, making this a prime window for fraudsters.
If you plan to buy a gift online this week, a few simple precautions can help you avoid losing money or exposing personal data.
What Happened
The BBB’s scam alert highlights several common tactics targeting Mother’s Day shoppers:
- Fake online stores – Fraudsters set up websites that look like legitimate gift shops, often using stolen product photos and offering steep discounts.
- Social media ads – Scammers pay for ads on platforms like Facebook or Instagram that lead to these fake stores. The ads may feature eye-catching deals on flowers, jewelry, or spa packages.
- Phishing emails and texts – Messages pretending to be from delivery companies or retailers claim a package is delayed or needs a payment update. Clicking the link can lead to credential theft or malware.
- Gift card scams – Some scammers ask for payment in gift cards, which are nearly impossible to trace or reverse.
The BBB notes that urgency and emotional appeal are central to these schemes. A limited-time “Mother’s Day sale” or a message like “your gift won’t arrive in time unless you act now” are common pressure tactics.
Why It Matters
Scams like these are especially dangerous for consumers who may be less familiar with online shopping risks. Losing money on a fraudulently purchased gift is frustrating, but the real harm can go deeper. Fake sites often ask for credit card numbers, addresses, and even Social Security numbers for “identity verification.” That information can be used for identity theft.
Moreover, because holiday scams are seasonal, many victims don’t realize they’ve been cheated until after the holiday has passed—making it harder to dispute charges or recover funds.
What Readers Can Do
You don’t need to be an expert to shop safely. Here are practical steps to follow:
Verify the seller before you buy. Look up the business on the BBB website or a trusted review platform. Check for complaints, refund policies, and a physical address. If you find little to no information, that’s a warning sign.
Inspect the website URL carefully. Scammers often use addresses that are slight misspellings of well-known brands (e.g.,
amaz0n-gifts.com). Look for “https” and a padlock icon, but note that these can be faked; they’re not a guarantee of legitimacy.Watch for red flags in ad copy. Poor grammar, misspelled words, and deals that seem too good to be true are strong indicators of a scam. Compare prices: if a $100 bouquet is listed for $20, it’s likely a trap.
Use a credit card for payment. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, wire transfers, or gift cards. Never pay with a prepaid card or cryptocurrency for an online purchase from an unknown seller.
Ignore unsolicited delivery or shipping messages. If you receive a text or email about a package you don’t remember ordering, don’t click any links. Go directly to the carrier’s website and track using the tracking number if you have one.
If you think you’ve been scammed, act fast. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. File a complaint with the BBB and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This can help alert others and may aid in recovery.
Sources
- Daily Herald, “BBB scam alert: Con artists target Mother’s Day shoppers,” May 7, 2026.
- Better Business Bureau, scam alert released May 7, 2026.
Stay alert, but don’t let the risk ruin your holiday. With a few extra checks, you can find a thoughtful gift without falling for a con.