Beware of Mother's Day Coupons Popping Up in Your Social Media Feeds Posted by Scam Artists

Personal information you may unsuspectingly provide can be used by a scammer to commit identity theft and target you for more scams

With Mother’s Day just two weeks away on May 11, you may see an uptick in “limited-time” coupon offers on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other social platforms. Many of those offers are fake, posted by scammers hoping to harvest your data.

How the Scam Works

These posts promise big discounts at major retailers if you complete an online survey or share your email and phone number. You may never receive a valid coupon, but the information you provide feeds identity thieves and fuels phishing campaigns.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Unverified pages: Look for official social accounts with the blue checkmark. If a coupon comes from an unknown or newly created profile, be wary.
• Pressure tactics: “Claim now, only 100 spots left” is meant to rush you past caution.
• Upfront data requests: No legitimate retailer asks for your Social Security number or full date of birth to deliver a coupon.
• Poor grammar and typos: Sloppy writing often betrays a fraudulent post.
• Suspicious URLs: Hover over any link before clicking. If the domain doesn’t match the retailer’s official site, do not follow it.

Protect Your Information

• Verify promotions directly: Go to the retailer’s official website rather than clicking on a social media link.
• Don’t share sensitive data: Avoid giving account numbers, Social Security numbers or full birth dates for a coupon.
• Use two-factor authentication: Enable it on your email and social media accounts to block unauthorized logins.
• Report and delete: If you spot a fake coupon post, report it to the platform and delete it from your feed.
• Think twice: If a deal seems too good to be true, free 50 percent off and free shipping—it probably is.

Stay alert on social media this spring. A little caution now keeps your personal data, and your Mother’s Day gift budget—safe.