Last-Minute Mother’s Day Shopping? Watch Out for These 6 Online Scam Signs

Buying a last-minute Mother's Day gift online might feel like a quick win, but it can turn into a headache if you're not careful. Scammers know this is their chance to catch shoppers off guard. They create fake shops, copy real product listings, and even run paid ads to lure people in. So before you hit "buy," take a minute.

If you're on the clock and still looking for something nice for mom, here's how to stay safe while you shop.

Why Last-Minute Shopping Increases Scam Risk

Rushed decisions are exactly what scammers hope for—and late shoppers are their favorite targets.

According to the FTC, consumers lost more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, making it the highest ever recorded in a single year. Online shopping scams were the second most reported category.

Most people wait too long to shop, especially for holidays. That's when scammers know you're more likely to rush and skip the small details. You click fast, trust too easily, and don't double-check. That's what fake sellers count on.

Late shoppers also take more risks. They're more likely to grab deals from shops they haven't heard of. These stores may look polished, but that doesn't always mean they're legit. A study found that 84% of people targeted by fake shopping websites engaged with them, and 47% ended up losing money.

6 Red Flags to Watch for Before You Checkout

Do you think the shop looks legit? Look again. These warning signs are easy to miss.

Here's a real-world example: Mel, a mother from the UK, was scammed after clicking on a fake Charles Tyrwhitt ad on Instagram. She spent £1,200 on clothes that never showed up. The ad offered 40% off and linked to a copycat website. After realizing the scam, she called the real retailer and found out it wasn't their site. Her bank later refunded her, but not everyone gets that lucky.

These cases highlight the importance of verifying online sellers before making purchases, especially when deals seem too good to be true.

Once you're on the site, here's how to tell if something feels off.

1. No Contact Details

Legit sellers always give a way to reach them. A real business will show a phone number or support email. If you can't find any contact details, that's a bad sign. Skip it. If it does have a phone number, you may try to use a Reverse Phone Lookup to see who it belongs to.

2. Only One Payment Option

A real store should offer more than one way to pay. If the shop only allows payments through wire transfers or peer-to-peer apps, you should stop right there. These methods are hard to trace and often used in online scams.

3. Poor Quality Photos or Copycat Designs

Scam shops often steal product photos. Check if the same images appear on other websites. Reverse image search can help with that. If the site is full of blurry pictures or designs that look stolen, don't trust it.

4. Weird URLs

Watch the site address. Fake shops often use strange domain names or ones that look close to popular brands but with small spelling changes.

5. Suspicious Email Links

Scam offers also show up in your inbox. If you get an email with a big discount and a link to an unfamiliar shop, it might be an email scam. Watch out for generic greetings, sketchy sender addresses, and spelling errors. Hover over links to see where they really lead—if it doesn't match the store's real domain, don't click.

6. Too Many Flashy Discounts

Seeing everything marked 70% off? That’s a red flag worth pausing on. Real stores don't slash prices on every item, especially close to a major holiday. Fake sellers know a big sale can distract you.

How to Quickly Check if the Seller Is Real

If something feels off, don't ignore it. These quick checks can help you confirm before you commit.

• Use a Website Checker Tool. Search online for website checker tools. Tools like ScamAdviser or URLVoid will flag suspicious domains and provide security ratings based on known issues, age, and user reviews. This quick step can save you money.
• Look for Trust Seals. You might see trust badges on some websites. These usually come from payment processors or security services. That's a good sign—but not a guarantee. Scammers can copy those, too. Just click the badge—if it links to a real certificate, you're likely in safer territory.
• Check the Domain Age. Many scam shops pop up and vanish fast. Use domain lookup tools to see when the site was created. A store that went live yesterday and sells "limited edition" gifts should raise concern.
• Search for Online Reviews. Use review sites and forums to check if others have issues. Don't rely on reviews posted on the seller's site. Those can be fake. Look for the seller on Reddit, Trustpilot, or scam warning sites.
• Scan Social Media Pages. Also, check their social media. A legit seller usually has active pages with recent posts and real comments. If the page looks empty, has comments turned off, or only shows stock images, take that as a red flag.

What to Do if You're Unsure But Still Want to Buy

Not totally confident, but thinking of giving it a shot? Here's how to stay protected.

1. Use a Secure Payment Method. Credit cards offer more protection. If something goes wrong, you can request a chargeback. Don't use Zelle or Cash App unless you know the seller personally.

2. Start With a Small Order. Still unsure but willing to try? Don't go all in. Order something small first. That's one way to test if the seller delivers.

3. Ask a Simple Question Before Buying. Message the seller about shipping or ask for a photo of the product with today's date. Real sellers reply fast. Scammers either send a vague answer or don't respond.

What to Do If You Already Got Scammed

If you already placed an order and something feels wrong, don't wait—act now.

• Contact Your Bank Right Away. Tell your bank or card provider as soon as you suspect a scam. The faster you act, the better chance you have to get your money back.
• Report the Website. You can report the site to the FTC using their online complaint form or send details to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). It won't undo the scam, but it helps protect others and may assist in investigations.
• Block Future Contact. If the scam came through email or SMS, block the sender. Don't reply. And don't click on follow-up links they may send.

Final Note

Last-minute shopping is tempting, but rushing puts you at risk. Mom deserves better than a scam site. Online scams spike around holidays because people let urgency take over. Use the tips above to stay smart while you shop.

One last thing—don’t let a scam ruin a gift meant to show love. Shop smart and enjoy peace of mind this Mother’s Day.