Watch for Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: How to Spot Fake Deals and Protect Your Money

Mother’s Day spending is projected to hit record levels this year, which means more people are shopping online for gifts. Unfortunately, scammers know that too. They tend to ramp up fake deals, misleading ads, and phishing emails around seasonal spending spikes. This is a good time to review the common tactics they use and how to avoid losing money—or personal information—to a fraudulent seller.

What Happened

According to a recent report by WREX, consumer protection agencies and local news outlets have warned that with record Mother’s Day spending expected, fraudsters are actively creating lookalike websites and running social media ads that appear to offer popular gifts at steep discounts. These scams often target shoppers who are in a hurry to find last-minute presents or who are lured by deals that seem too good to pass up.

The methods vary. Some scammers set up fake online stores that mimic well-known retailers. Others send phishing emails that appear to be from a delivery service or a gift company, asking for payment details or personal information to “confirm” an order. Social media ads can also be a vector—clicking a promoted post might lead to a site that collects credit card numbers without delivering any product.

Why It Matters

When a scam succeeds, the victim loses not just the money paid for the gift, but also potentially sensitive financial data. In many cases, the fraudulent website disappears shortly after taking payment, leaving no way to dispute the charge or contact the seller. For shoppers who rely on debit cards or wire transfers, the loss can be especially hard to recover.

Beyond the immediate financial hit, there is also the risk of identity theft if scammers collect enough information during checkout. Because Mother’s Day is tied to personal sentiment, emotional pressure can override caution—people may click through without checking the site’s legitimacy simply because they want to send something special.

What Readers Can Do

You can lower your risk by staying alert to a few common red flags.

1. Check the URL and site design.
Fake stores often use domain names that are very close to a real brand’s—like “MacyDayGifts.com” instead of “Macys.com.” Look for typos in the store name or in product descriptions. If the site feels clunky or has oddly written copy, that’s a warning sign.

2. Be skeptical of extremely low prices.
If a product is discounted 80% off retail and the seller is unknown, it’s likely a lure. Scammers count on the bargain being too tempting to question. Compare prices across several known retailers before committing.

3. Watch out for unexpected emails or texts.
Phishing messages pretending to be from a shipping carrier or a flower delivery service may ask you to “confirm your address” by clicking a link. Do not click. Instead, go directly to the carrier or retailer’s website and check the tracking number there.

4. Use a credit card when possible.
Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. If you pay with a credit card and the item never arrives, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. Some cards also include purchase protection.

5. Research the seller before you buy.
Search for the business name plus words like “scam” or “review.” Check if the website lists a physical address and a working phone number. If you cannot find any independent reviews, that is a reason to pause.

6. If you think you’ve been scammed, act quickly.
First, contact your bank or card issuer to report the transaction and ask about a chargeback. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also notify your state’s consumer protection office. In some cases, local law enforcement may be able to take a report, though recovery is not guaranteed.

These steps won’t eliminate all risk, but they will make you a harder target. With record spending expected, taking an extra few minutes to verify a seller can save both your money and the frustration of a ruined Mother’s Day surprise.

Sources

  • WREX. “Watch for Mother’s Day shopping scams amid record spending.” Published May 7, 2026. https://www.wrex.com/ (archive link from Google News).