BBB scam alert: Con artists target Mother’s Day shoppers

As Mother’s Day nears, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging people to be vigilant against scams.

Scammers see this holiday as an especially lucrative opportunity. Whether you’re buying flowers, jewelry or gift cards, the BBB urges consumers to shop wisely.

According to the National Retail Federation, a record $38 billion will be spent on Mother’s Day this year, with celebrants planning to spend on average $284.25, also a record. Department stores (33%) and online shopping (33%) rank equally as the top shopping destinations for Mother’s Day gifts.

“We must be our first line of defense to protect ourselves while shopping for that perfect gift,” says Steve Bernas, BBB president and CEO. “This is especially true when shopping online. Be very wary of fake websites and social media ads.”

World Password Day, May 7, is an important reminder of the need for secure shopping. Passwords should be different for every one of your online accounts. A strong password has at least 12 to 16 characters including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid weak passwords, such as 123456, a favorite hobby, your hometown — anything that is easy to guess.

“Con artists are out to steal your identity or sell you poor-quality products,” Bernas said.

Consumers should be cautious of fraudulent online flower shops, jewelry stores and stolen gift cards. The BBB has tips when selecting Mother’s Day gifts in-store or online:

• Verify the legitimacy of online retailers before making a purchase.

• Use secure payment methods and avoid wire transfers or prepaid debit cards.

• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

• Check reviews and ratings of the seller.

• Look for contact information and return policies on the website.

Follow these BBB guidelines to help reduce your risk of scams:

• Do your homework. Before ordering flowers, jewelry, electronics, or any other gifts for Mother’s Day, check out the company’s BBB profile at bbb.org. This free service is a great way to help prevent disappointment with a product. Also, when you shop online, use websites and retailers that you know.

• Do not click on unsolicited messages, especially about Mother’s Day sales. Even if it appears to be from a major retailer, it could be an impostor. It’s easy with AI for con artists to create high-quality imitation web sites. Those messages could be fraudulent, inviting you to enter confidential information, which could cost you big-time.

• Never enter your personal information in a pop-up screen. When you visit a company’s website, an unauthorized pop-up screen created by an identity thief could appear, with blanks for you to provide your personal information. Legitimate companies don’t ask for personal information via pop-up screens. Install pop-up blocking software to avoid this type of scam.

• Keep documentation of your order. When you’ve completed the online order process, there may be a final confirmation page and/or you might receive confirmation by email. Print or save that information and keep it handy, in case you need it later.

• Have a backup plan. Make sure you understand the store's guarantee. Find out how customer complaints are handled and what recourse you will have if the arrangement is not satisfactory. It’s best to use a credit card when ordering online, because you can dispute charges if the vendor doesn’t come through.

• Make sure the business has your information. When it comes to flower delivery, there are times when delivery instructions need to be confirmed or a delivery driver needs additional directions. Give the florist a callback phone number so they can make sure your mom gets the gift you ordered.

If you've encountered a scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Your report exposes scammer tactics. Sign up for BBB’s free consumer newsletter, BBB Edge, at BBB.org/ChicagoBuzz. Visit BBB.org or follow @ChicagoBBB on social media. Look for the BBB seal, The Sign of a Better Business.