Beware of Walmart scam for $1K card
For The Vista
By Lt. Gary Howard
Public Information Officer
Several residents in Cumberland County are getting hit by a scam going around which claims to be from Wal-mart.
One scam is that you have won $1,000.00 from Wal-mart however you just need to send in the taxes on the amount to a specific address or call a phone number (which is out of the country) and give them your credit card number to hold out the taxes and the check will be on the way to you.
The other scam is sent to you by a text message or email that directs you to a website to enter personal information.
These are scams and YOU are the target. Smishing scams (bogus offers sent via email or text) shouldn’t be anything new to consumers, but for some reason beyond the realm of logic they’re as prevalent.
Scam tracking site ScamBook.com has logged more than 2,000 complaints in the last few days alone from consumers who fell for the age-old $1,000 Walmart gift card trick.
“The most popular websites being used recently is called “walmartgift.mobi” or “walmartgiftcard.”
These sites are not owned, operated by, or affiliated with Walmart. Any site can be used for this scam and users are often asked for private personal information including credit card numbers or social security numbers.
Providing this type of information is very likely to lead to identity theft or credit card fraud.”
How it works
People usually get a text or email alerting them that they’ve just scored a $1,000 prize to spend as they wish at the retail giant. Once they’ve trotted over to the website usually included in the message, they’re sent into a never-ending labyrinth of surveys, forms and “sponsor offers,” leaving a trail of their personal information in their wake.
Don’t be the victim. Do not respond to text messages or emails that send you to ANY site that ask for your personal information. Remember, be greedy with your personal information. Don’t ever send money in to get money either.
If we can assist in any way, please contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, Crime Prevention Unit at (931) 484-6176 ext. 2002.