Fake "hot toy" websites and ads

What it looks like

When one of the season's popular toys is sold out in stores, fake websites and social media ads claim to have it in stock, often discounted as a "last-minute deal" or "flash sale." The sites can look professional and even use original product photos, and they can show up at the top of search results. In reports to BBB Scam Tracker, buyers either got a cheap counterfeit or nothing at all, the site disappeared, and the seller didn't respond or refused a refund.

Who it targets

Holiday shoppers searching online for sold-out or popular toys.

Red flags

• A site that "miraculously" has a toy in stock when it's sold out everywhere else
• Unusually low prices, "flash sale," or "last-minute deal" pressure
• Arriving at an unfamiliar store from a social media ad or a top search result
• No response or refusal when you ask about a missing or fake order

What to do if you clicked, paid, or replied

• Type a trusted retailer's web address directly instead of clicking social media ads or search results
• Don't buy from a store you don't know just because the price is low
• If you already paid and got nothing or a counterfeit, contact your card issuer about the charge
• Report the site at BBB Scam Tracker

Still circulating?

BBB updated this alert on October 6, 2026 ahead of the holiday shopping season.