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

If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day online this week, you’re not alone—and neither are the scammers. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert warning consumers about con artists who ramp up their efforts during peak gift-buying periods. Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and criminals know that many people are looking for last‑minute deals, which makes them more likely to click first and think later.

Here’s what you need to know to avoid losing money or personal information.

What happened

On May 7, 2026, the Better Business Bureau published a scam alert, reported by the Daily Herald, detailing a surge in fraudulent schemes targeting Mother’s Day shoppers. These scams include phony websites selling gift cards at deep discounts, phishing emails that impersonate well‑known retailers, and counterfeit luxury goods offered at prices that seem too good to be true. Scammers also create social media ads that link to look‑alike store pages designed to steal credit card numbers.

Why it matters

The stakes go beyond just a lost order. If you enter your payment details on a fake site, the scammer can drain your account or use your card for other purchases. Phishing emails can also lead to identity theft if you click a link that installs malware or redirects you to a fake login page. During a holiday rush, the usual caution can slip—which is exactly what fraudsters count on.

According to the BBB, many of these scams are hard to spot because the websites and emails look professional. The deals are often advertised on social media with high‑quality images and convincing testimonials. But they share a few common red flags.

What readers can do

You don’t need to be an expert to shop safely. A few straightforward checks go a long way.

Watch for these red flags

  • Too‑good‑to‑be‑true prices. A $100 gift card for $50, or a designer handbag at 80% off, is almost certainly a scam. Legitimate discounts exist, but extreme markdowns from unknown sellers should raise suspicion.
  • Suspicious URLs. Before you enter payment information, examine the web address. Misspellings, extra characters, or a domain that doesn’t match the brand (e.g., “nike‑outlet‑shop.net” instead of “nike.com”) are warning signs.
  • Grammatical errors and oddly worded messages. Phishing emails and fake product pages often contain awkward phrasing, missing punctuation, or strange formatting. Professional retailers proofread their communications.
  • Pressure to act quickly. “Limited time offer” and “only 3 left” are common tactics to rush you into a decision. Legitimate sellers don’t need to create false urgency.

Safe shopping tips

  • Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or wire transfers. If a scam occurs, you are more likely to get your money back.
  • Check the retailer’s BBB rating at BBB.org. This is especially important if you’ve never heard of the store. Look up the business and read customer reviews.
  • Stick with reputable retailers you already know, or at least verify that an unfamiliar site has a physical address and a working customer service phone number.
  • Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails. Instead, open your browser and go directly to the retailer’s official website.

If you fall for a scam

Act quickly to limit the damage:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the fraudulent charge and request a chargeback.
  2. File a complaint with the BBB’s Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  4. If you shared personal information like passwords, change them right away and enable two‑factor authentication where possible.

Quick checklist before you buy

  • Is the price realistic for the product or gift card?
  • Does the website URL match the brand’s official domain?
  • Are there obvious spelling or grammar mistakes?
  • Has the seller a BBB rating or verifiable reviews?
  • Are you paying with a credit card, not a wire transfer or gift card?
  • Did you navigate to the site directly instead of clicking an email link?

Mother’s Day should be about celebrating the people we appreciate, not dealing with financial headaches. Taking an extra minute to verify a deal can spare you a lot of trouble.

Sources

  • BBB scam alert reported by Daily Herald, May 7, 2026.
  • Better Business Bureau – Scam Tracker and business ratings (BBB.org).
  • Federal Trade Commission – ReportFraud.ftc.gov.