A gift card scam text is going around that tries to lure you in with a very inviting offer – it's basically an offer of free money. The text appears to come from the well-respected company Target, but it doesn't.
One FOX 5 viewer got the text and called immediately.
"I thought I'd better call Channel 5 news and let them know so they can put the word out," said viewer Linda Honey. "It said, 'Congratulations. You have won a $1000 gift card from Target."
Yes, a Target gift card for $1,000.
"I thought, wow. My mind started turning over. I was deciding how I was going to spend it, who I was going to give a little to," said Honey.
What a windfall, if it were the real deal. Here is the actual text a FOX 5 co-worker received: "Congratulations, your entry in last months drawing won you a FREE Target giftcard. Enter '404' at www.target.com.tlsv.biz and tell us where to ship it!"
It was the same text Honey received.
Here's the first red flag: It says your entry in last month's drawing got you this winning text. Chances are you didn't enter a contest. That's when Linda Honey first soured on this sweet, would-be prize.
"I thought, Wait a minute. It might not be true," said Honey.
She did the smart thing, and called Target to check it out. The retail giant told her just what they told the I-Team: The retailer is not in any way affiliated with the text. And if you get it, do what Linda Honey did -- call Target customer service to verify it.
Here's a Facebook warning from someone else: "I just got scammed. The web address to 'claim' my gift card was target.com, so I trusted it."
It looks real, but it's not. When you click the link you're then asked to give up personal information. Do what Honey did instead of falling for it, she deleted it because she quickly figured out what's at stake.
"Probably lose money, their identity, peace of mind," said Honey.
The spam text is also circulating with other big-name companies attached to it. Just delete it if you receive it. Target has a newsletter with some other great information concerning this scam. You can read it by clicking here.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:03:25 GMT
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
We all get excited about leaving town and going on vacation, so we tend to tell everyone about it. But, a word of caution before spreading the good news.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:13 AM EDT2013-06-17 11:13:04 GMT
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the FTC has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off on its strong health claims.
Pomegranate juice has been sold as a real 'cure-all' over the last couple of years. But in a decision made this month, the Federal Trade Commission has ordered at least one manufacturer to back off some pretty strong health claims.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:56 AM EDT2013-06-14 12:56:09 GMT
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Retailers got the go-ahead to pass along some extra charges to you, but not without some rules attached. You might not have noticed them just yet, but you should be on the lookout.
Thursday, June 13 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-06-13 19:29:22 GMT
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
A man once hailed as a military hero was arrested on Wednesday. Former Holly Springs Police Officer Shane Ladner is accused of tricking people into thinking that he received a Purple Heart for being wounded in battle.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 11:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 03:36:50 GMT
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Tonight at 10, FOX 5 I-Team reporter Randy Travis shows how long it took a local sheriff to finally arrest a repeat horse abuser – even after state inspectors had spent years trying to stop the abuse!
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:07 AM EDT2013-06-12 13:07:42 GMT
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
You may have noticed – or, at least heard – that mortgage rates are starting to inch up again. The I-Team's Dana Fowle is here to help you understand what this change means for home buyers right now.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 6:59 AM EDT2013-06-12 10:59:03 GMT
The Better Business Bureau always takes a look back at the previous year, and compiles its top 10 scams list.
The Better Business Bureau always takes a look back at the previous year, and compiles its top 10 scams list. According to the I-Team, the list are schemes that have been around as long as the BBB, 100 years. The only thing different is the technology.
