TL;DR: Scam listings spike in the two to three weeks before Mother's Day and Father's Day, when last-minute shoppers are searching for gifts and more willing to try an unfamiliar online store. Check an unfamiliar shop's reviews and return policy before buying, and pay with a credit card so you have recourse if the order never arrives.
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Scam listings spike in the two to three weeks before Mother's Day and Father's Day, when last-minute shoppers are searching for gifts and more willing to try an unfamiliar online store.
How the Scam Plays Out
Fake gift shops advertise personalized or handmade items at attractive prices through social media ads, taking payment for products that never ship or arrive as cheap substitutes.
How to Protect Yourself
Check an unfamiliar shop's reviews and return policy before buying, and pay with a credit card so you have recourse if the order never arrives.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Moving Season Scams: Fake Movers and Rental Fraud.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see New Year, New Identity Theft Resolutions Checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Scam listings spike in the two to three weeks before Mother's Day and Father's Day, when last-minute shoppers are searching for gifts and more willing to try an unfamiliar online store.
What tactics are used?
Fake gift shops advertise personalized or handmade items at attractive prices through social media ads, taking payment for products that never ship or arrive as cheap substitutes.
How can I protect myself?
Check an unfamiliar shop's reviews and return policy before buying, and pay with a credit card so you have recourse if the order never arrives.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.