Watch Out for These Mother’s Day Shopping Scams, Warns BBB

Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert on May 7, 2026, warning that con artists are actively targeting shoppers with fake deals, phishing emails, and fraudulent delivery offers. If you’re buying gifts this week, a few minutes of caution can save you money and frustration.

What happened: the BBB alert

The BBB’s Scam Tracker received a spike in reports related to Mother’s Day. According to the alert, the most common scams include:

  • Fake flower and gift delivery websites. Shoppers search for last‑minute bouquets or baskets, find a site with low prices and “guaranteed delivery,” pay, and receive nothing—or a sad substitute.
  • Phishing emails with gift card offers. Emails that appear to come from reputable stores promise a free $50 gift card if you click a link and enter personal information. The link leads to a credential‑stealing page.
  • Social media ads for cheap jewelry or electronics. Scammers create polished ads on Facebook or Instagram, often using stolen product photos. The items either never arrive or are counterfeit.
  • Gift card scams. A caller or email claims a loved one has an outstanding balance or an order problem and asks you to pay with gift cards. Legitimate businesses never request payment this way.

The BBB notes that scammers often use urgent language—“order now for Mother’s Day delivery” or “limited stock”—to pressure shoppers into acting without verifying the seller.

Why it matters

Mother’s Day shopping is emotional. Many people want to surprise someone special and may overlook warning signs. The result can be a double loss: the money is gone, and the gift never arrives. Because scammers often demand payment via wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, victims have little recourse to recover funds. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2025, and holidays are peak seasons for these schemes.

What readers can do

Recognize the red flags

Before you buy, look for these warning signs:

  • Deals that seem too good to be true. A dozen roses for $19.99 or a designer handbag for 90% off is almost certainly a scam.
  • Unusual payment methods. Legitimate sellers accept credit cards, PayPal, or store gift cards (not third‑party gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency).
  • Misspelled URLs or odd domain names. “Flower4u‑deals.shop” is not the same as a well‑known florist.
  • Urgency and pressure. “Only two left” or “order in the next hour” is a tactic to short‑circuit your judgment.
  • No verifiable contact information. If the website lacks a physical address, customer service phone number, or a real return policy, walk away.

Shop safely

  • Verify the seller on the BBB website. Check the business’s rating, complaint history, and whether it’s accredited. A quick search can reveal warnings.
  • Use a credit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, wire transfers, or gift cards. If the product never arrives, you can dispute the charge.
  • Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails. Instead, go directly to the store’s website by typing the address yourself.
  • Check shipping deadlines and return policies. Scammers often list unrealistic delivery windows. A legitimate florist will have clear cutoff dates.
  • Be skeptical of social media ads. Verify the store by searching for independent reviews outside the ad platform.

What to do if you are scammed

If you or a loved one falls for a Mother’s Day scam, act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer. Report the fraudulent charge and request a chargeback.
  2. Report to the BBB Scam Tracker. Your report helps warn others and may aid law enforcement.
  3. File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  4. Change compromised passwords. If you entered login credentials on a fake site, update those passwords immediately and enable two‑factor authentication where possible.

Staying safe doesn’t mean skipping the celebration

The BBB’s alert is a reminder, not a reason to panic. Most online purchases go smoothly. By slowing down, checking the seller, and paying with a credit card, you can enjoy finding something special for Mom—without becoming a statistic.

Sources: Better Business Bureau scam alert (May 7, 2026), as reported in the Daily Herald; BBB Scam Tracker; Federal Trade Commission.