Mother’s Day Shopping Alert: How to Spot and Avoid Scams This Season

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and this season is expected to see record online spending. Where money flows, scammers follow. Local news outlets such as WREX have already reported on the heightened risk of fraud, warning consumers to stay alert. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Knowing a few red flags and simple precautions can keep your gift from turning into a headache.

What Happened

Scammers are taking advantage of the surge in Mother’s Day spending by creating fake online stores, sending phishing emails that appear to be from well-known retailers, and running deceptive social media ads. In many cases, these scams offer popular gift categories — jewelry, flowers, spa packages, and personalized items — at deep discounts that seem too good to pass up. The goal is to collect payment and personal information, then vanish. Some scammers also use gift card requests, claiming that a custom order or a special promotion requires payment via store gift cards. This is a classic tell: legitimate businesses never demand payment in gift cards.

Why It Matters

Falling for a Mother’s Day scam can mean losing money, having your credit card or personal data stolen, or even getting your identity compromised. Beyond the financial hit, there is the disappointment of not delivering a promised gift on a day meant for appreciation. Older consumers, who may be less familiar with modern online shopping pitfalls, are often targeted. The scale is significant: during major holidays, the Federal Trade Commission typically receives thousands of fraud reports, and the total losses run into the millions. A few minutes of caution can spare you that trouble.

What Readers Can Do

Here are concrete steps to protect yourself while shopping for Mother’s Day:

  • Research the seller before you buy. If you come across a store you’ve never heard of, search for reviews, check the Better Business Bureau profile, and look for complaints. A quick search for “[store name] scam” often reveals warnings.
  • Scrutinize the website. Look for subtle misspellings in the URL (e.g., “Macyz” instead of “Macy’s”), poor grammar, missing contact information, or an address that doesn’t match the brand. Genuine e-commerce sites invest in clean design and clear policies.
  • Beware of deals that feel unrealistic. A 70% discount on a popular perfume or a luxury handbag at a fraction of retail price is almost certainly a trap. Scammers rely on greed and urgency.
  • Avoid paying via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. These methods offer no buyer protection. Use a credit card if possible — you can dispute fraudulent charges through your card issuer.
  • Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or texts. Scammers send messages that mimic order confirmations, shipping updates, or exclusive deals. Instead, navigate directly to the retailer’s official website by typing the URL yourself.
  • Check for HTTPS and a padlock icon in your browser’s address bar before entering payment information. It’s not a guarantee of legitimacy, but it’s a basic hygiene step.
  • If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from a retailer, contact the company through its official customer service channel to verify before taking any action.

What to Do If You Are Scammed

Even careful shoppers can get caught. If you realize you’ve been scammed, act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the transaction and request a chargeback.
  2. Place a fraud alert on your credit report through one of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
  3. Change the passwords for any accounts you may have used on the fake site, especially if you reused credentials.
  4. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps track patterns and may prevent others from falling victim.
  5. If you paid with a gift card, contact the issuer — some have fraud reporting procedures, though recovery is rare.

Stay Safe Without Overthinking

Mother’s Day should be about showing appreciation, not worrying about fraud. By sticking with reputable retailers, being skeptical of unsolicited offers, and using secure payment methods, you can shop with confidence. The warning from WREX and other local outlets is timely, but it doesn’t mean you need to avoid online shopping altogether. A little awareness goes a long way.

Sources

  • WREX. “Watch for Mother’s Day shopping scams amid record spending.” May 7, 2026. Link
  • Federal Trade Commission. “How to Avoid a Scam.” ftc.gov/scams