Scam alerts to watch right now and how to avoid them

Every year, scammers look for opportunities to exploit generosity and last‑minute shopping. Mother’s Day is no exception. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a seasonal warning: con artists are setting up fake online stores, sending phishing texts that appear to be from delivery services, and creating bogus charities that claim to help mothers in need. If you are planning to buy a gift or make a donation in the coming days, here is what you need to watch for.

What happened

On May 7, 2026, the BBB published a scam alert specifically targeting Mother’s Day shoppers. The alert details several common tactics that fraudsters use during this holiday period:

  • Fake online stores. Scammers create websites that look like legitimate retailers, often offering popular gifts (flowers, jewelry, electronics) at steep discounts. These sites may appear in search results or as sponsored ads on social media.
  • Phishing emails and text messages. You might receive a message claiming to be from a well‑known store or a courier service like UPS or FedEx. The message often says there is a problem with your delivery or a special promotion, and includes a link that leads to a fake login page or a malware download.
  • Charity fraud. Fraudsters set up fake nonprofits that appeal to your desire to help mothers in difficult situations. They may use names that sound similar to real charities.
  • Payment ploys. Many of these scams push you to pay via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency — methods that offer little to no consumer protection.

The BBB recommends checking a seller’s domain age, reading independent reviews, and verifying a charity through BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Navigator before giving.

Why it matters

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest spending holidays of the year. According to the National Retail Federation, the average consumer spends over $200 on gifts. That financial activity, combined with the emotional pressure to find something special, makes it a prime hunting ground for scammers.

The consequences go beyond losing money. If you enter your credit card details into a fake site or click a phishing link, your personal information can be stolen and used for identity theft. And if you pay with a method that lacks fraud protection — like a wire transfer or gift card — you may never get your money back.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that online shopping scams were among the top categories of fraud in 2025, with losses in the billions. Seasonal spikes like Mother’s Day contribute significantly to that number.

What readers can do

You do not need to become a cybersecurity expert to stay safe. A few practical steps will greatly reduce your risk:

  • Verify the seller before buying. Look up the company name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Check the website’s creation date using a free tool like Whois. If the domain was registered only a few weeks ago, that is a red flag.
  • Pay with a credit card or PayPal. Both offer chargeback options if the item never arrives or is counterfeit. Never use wire transfers, cash‑app equivalents, or gift cards with strangers.
  • Examine emails and texts carefully. Scammers often use generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” include spelling errors, and create a sense of urgency (“act now,” “your package is delayed”). Hover over any link to see where it really goes before clicking.
  • Donate only to vetted charities. Use the BBB’s Give.org or Charity Navigator to confirm a nonprofit is legitimate. Be wary of appeals made over the phone or through unsolicited emails.
  • Check social media ads thoroughly. Many scam ads run on Facebook and Instagram. Click on the seller’s page and look at how long it has existed, who follows it, and whether comments are turned off or filled with generic praise.

If you do fall for a scam, stop all communication immediately. Contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge. Then report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the BBB’s Scam Tracker. You can also file a report with your local police department, especially if you lost a significant amount of money.

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