Beware of Mother's Day Scams and Viruses

Moms be advised: those Mother's Day ecards could come with a virus.

Consumer Reports says "they’re as likely to contain destructive malware as warm wishes. Don’t open the card unless you recognize the name of the sender or that the name of the sender is in the body or the message. Another option: do a quick search of the site that generated the e-card to determine if it’s legitimate."

Beware of e-mails offering fake vouchers or coupons for bouquets and floral arrangements, as well as jewelry and restaurant bargains. "Often, they’re nothing more than phishing expeditions. Phishing e-mails contain harmful links that lead to phony sites looking to steal personal and credit card information from unsuspecting consumers who are willing to share the details in exchange for promised discounts," according to Consumer Reports.

Before ordering anything for mom this year, check the BBB's Business Review first.

Consumer Reports provides a few other tips to avoid being scammed or getting a computer virus.

Know the guarantee: Insist on a written receipt and ask about the refund policy if the delivery is late, never arrives or is in poor condition.

Order securely: Look for signs online purchases are secure. If shopping online and providing payment information, the beginning of the website address should change from http to https, indicating the information is encrypted. Never enter your personal information in a pop-up screen.

Understand key dates: Allow time for shipping and delivery.

Be clear about fees: If you order ahead of time, delivery and other charges will be less than last-minute or overnight fees.