How to Spot ‘Hot Toy’ Scams This Holiday Season

Popular Toys Sell Out Fast — and Scammers Know It

Every holiday season brings a wave of must-have toys, and 2025 is no exception. Lists from CNET and Toy Insider put interactive, tech-driven favorites at the top: Po the AI Story Bear, Furby DJ Furby Rainbow, Disney’s Ultimate Stitch Interactive Plush, and the Gabby’s Dollhouse Meow-mazing Interactive Dollhouse. STEM toys like Kanoodle Brain Teaser and Magna-Tiles Rail Racers Deluxe Set are also big hits, along with classics like Cry Babies and new LEGO Technic Ferrari FXX K sets.

But when these toys sell out — and they usually do — scammers rush to fill the gap.

How the Scam Works

You search online for a sold-out toy and stumble across a website with exactly what you’re looking for. It looks professional. The images seem legitimate. The price is even marked down as a “flash sale.”

That’s where trouble begins.

According to reports to the BBB Scam Tracker, many shoppers end up receiving cheap counterfeit products — or nothing at all. Fake websites often disappear after the purchase, leaving consumers without a refund or a way to contact customer service. One Ohio buyer lost $46 on a supposed Labubu purchase that never shipped. Another paid for an interactive Stitch plush — plus express shipping — and not only received nothing, but saw additional attempted charges.

How to Protect Yourself From Toy Scams

The Better Business Bureau urges consumers to skip social-media ads and go directly to trusted retail websites. Avoid sellers offering unusually low prices, and never share personal information unless you’ve confirmed the company has a working customer service line. When shopping online, look for the BBB seal — and verify it at BBB.org to ensure it’s legitimate.

Consumers can report suspicious activity at BBB Scam Tracker, or contact their local BBB for additional guidance.