Don’t Fall for This Sneaky Target Gift Card Scam
Any Target lover would jump at the chance to get a free gift card, but a new scam making the rounds on the internet is proving that if something seems too good to be true, it likely is.
At first glance, the hoax looks like your friend is just alerting you to a good deal: send a text to a certain number and you can claim a free Target gift card. Simple as that.
In reality, it’s far from a friendly tip. IDTheftinfo.org, a website by the Consumer Federation of America, explains that this type of scam is know as “smishing.” It’s like a phishing scam, but the hacker will send you a link over text message rather than email. Once you click on the link, the scammer will bait you for information like you credit card information or your social security number. On top of that, Snopes says clicking the link may also compromise your Facebook account, meaning that bots can keep sharing the scam to your followers, without you even knowing.
The hoax isn’t anything new. In fact, a few years back, a nearly identical scam promised free $100 gift cards to Walmart shoppers who clicked a link that was shared on social media. At the time, Walmart told consumers that they should never reply to an email, phone call, or text messages that threaten you, require you to click an external link to provide more information, or asks for personal or account information directly in the email.
The Good Housekeeeping Institute agrees, saying you should always be wary before you click on any links or enter any personal information online. They recommended taking the following precautions to avoid becoming a victim.
1. Be wary of links sent from an unknown number. You should never click on a link sent to you through text if you don't recognize the number.
2. Keep an eye out for bad grammar or any typos. These are often a direct giveaway that it's a scam. Legit businesses proofread their official communications, even text messages.
3. Be careful with your personal info. Always be conservative with the information you provide to any website, and make sure that you're entering it through the retailer's website directly instead of a link from an email or text message.
4. When in doubt, contact the company directly. A customer service representative should be able to verify if the text message is real.
If you do find yourself in a place where you have accidentally entered personal information, it’s extremely important that you monitor your bank transactions and change your passwords immediately.
Goodhousekeeping.com has reached out to Target for comment and will update this post as more information becomes available.
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