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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
From the Bureau: Looking for this season's hot toy? Beware of scams
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Every year, there are always a few “must-have” toys on kids’ holiday wish lists. The hot toys sell out and become expensive and hard to find. In 2025, top toy lists highlight interactive, tech-driven, STEM focused toys and imaginative play favorites. Major retailers have released curated lists of their predicted holiday bestsellers.
When shopping for a child this holiday season, consumers should beware of online scammers tricking victims into accidentally buying a fake or non-existent version of a popular toy.
How the scam works
You are looking for one of this season’s hot toys, but it is sold out at every store. You decide to do a quick online search or spot an ad on a social media feed. This leads to a website that miraculously still has the toy in stock. The site may look professional and have original images of the product. It may even offer the product at discounted prices, claiming a special “last-minute deal” or “flash sale.”
Unfortunately, many such offers are fake. In cases reported to BBB Scam Tracker, buyers thought they were ordering a branded high-quality toy. Instead, they received a cheap counterfeit version. In other cases, the products never shipped and the websites soon vanished. In either case, when the dissatisfied customers tried to follow up, they found that either they didn't get a response or were refused a refund.
Another shopper told Scam Tracker that they ordered an AI panda online. "This company promised a AI panda that reacts with touch and we received a small stuffed panda with a hanging string in its head and no battery or electrical components, just a cheap toy, the ad is very misleading as it shows a stuffed panda reacting to touch stating it is a calming bear."
Tips to avoid toy scams:
- Be careful on social media. Scammers do market research and may know what toy is searched for. Instead of clicking on a link from a social media ad, consider opening a browser and going directly to trusted retailer websites.
- Only buy toys from reputable stores and websites. The best way to avoid getting scammed when purchasing toys is to buy them directly from a seller you know and trust. Fake website creation is rampant.
- Don’t be fooled by extra-low prices. Unreasonably low prices are a red flag for a scam on many products. Avoid making purchases from an unfamiliar retailer just because the price sounds too good to be true – it probably is!
- Research before you buy. If a company seems legitimate, but is unfamiliar, be extra careful with your personal information. Use a Credit Card should a payment dispute be necessitated.
- Look for the BBB Seal: It's the Sign of a Better Business. BBB Accredited Businesses agree to uphold the BBB Standards for Trust. Verify by going to www.bbb.org. In the Corridor contact the BBB at 319-365-1190.
Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; info@dm.bbb.org
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