Delete That Text! You Didn't Win A Target Gift Card!

7/17/2012

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Delete that Text! You Didn't Win a Target Gift Card!

Cell phone users nationwide are receiving suspicious text messages that claim to be from Target. The texts tell consumers they won a drawing for free gift card... and all they have to do is click a link and enter their address and phone number.

Unfortunately, the gift card drawing is fake. And the texts are just a way to collect personal info for shady advertisers.

About the scam:

The text messages vary, but all contain an offer of a gift card, a URL to visit and PIN to enter on the website. A typical example is below:

"Your entry in our drawing WON you a free $1000 Target giftcard! Enter "917" at www.target.com.tgrz.biz to claim it and we can ship it to you immediately"

The text's URL leads to a website that is branded with Target's colors and its mascot dog Bullseye. You are asked to enter the PIN and an email address. Then, you are taken to a form and instructed to fill out your name, cell number and mailing address.

One recipient reported completing the form and receiving a second PIN in return. The confirmation message instructed her to wait for a follow-up text and enter that new PIN at the website address she received. The text turned out to be promoting a horoscope website, and no mention was made of the Target gift card.

More information

See BBB.org's complete scam directory for more information about breaking scams in your area.


AboutBetter Business Bureau:
BBB's mission is to be theleader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB accomplishes this mission bycreating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards formarketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebratingmarketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.

Businessesthat earn BBB Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to theorganization's high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB is thepreeminent resource to turn to for objective, unbiased information onbusinesses and charities.

Contact BBB serving WesternMichigan at (616) 774-8236 or info@westernmichigan.bbb.org

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