Daniel Gritzer

As technology advances, so do the tactics of scammers. Nowadays, one of the most common scams is through text messages, and Target gift cards are a prime target. It is essential to be aware of the warning signs and take necessary measures to protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. In this article, we will explore some tips and warnings to safeguard your money and personal information.

What are target gift card scams over text?

Target gift card scams over text are fraudulent messages that aim to trick you into sharing your personal and financial information, usually through phishing links, fake surveys, or fake contests, in exchange for a chance to win or redeem a gift card from Target.

How can you protect yourself from target gift card scams through text?

You can protect yourself from target gift card scams through text by being cautious and skeptical of unsolicited messages, not clicking on suspicious links or downloading suspicious attachments, verifying the sender and the offer before taking any action, and never sharing your personal or financial information with anyone you don’t trust.

What are the warning signs of target gift card scams through text?

The warning signs of target gift card scams through text include unsolicited messages from unknown senders, urgent or threatening language, misspellings or grammatical errors, requests for personal or financial information, promises of unrealistic rewards, and suspicious links or attachments.

1. By following the tips and warnings mentioned in the blog post, users can protect themselves from falling prey to Target gift card scams through text.
2. Users can avoid financial loss and identity theft by being cautious while responding to unsolicited text messages offering Target gift cards.
3. The blog post provides valuable insights that can help users stay safe while shopping at Target and using gift cards as a payment method.
4. By being aware of common scams and taking necessary precautions, users can enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience without worrying about fraudulent activities.
5. Overall, users can benefit greatly from the information provided in the blog post and take the necessary steps to protect themselves from Target gift card scams through text messaging.

Gift cards are for gifts , not for payments. Scammers like this. If someone calls you and demands that you pay them with gift cards, you can bet that a scammer is behind that call. Once they have the gift card number and the PIN, they have your money. Scammers may tell you many stories to get you to pay them with gift cards, but this is what usually happens. If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. Remember that gift cards are for gifts , not for payments. So if you buy gift cards to give away or donate. If someone asks you to pay them with gift cards. Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information. Search form Search. Gift Card Scams. Share this page Facebook Twitter Linked-In. Someone might ask you to pay for something by putting money on a gift card, like a Google Play or iTunes card, and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card. No real business or government agency will ever insist you pay them with a gift card. Anyone who demands to be paid with a gift card is a scammer. Read on to learn more about gift card scams. Tagged with gift cards , scam.
On Facebook, these messages follow a formula a greeting followed by the text scam and a smiling emoji. At least one person whose account posted a similar gift card scam subsequently said that the message was posted without their knowledge to every Facebook group of which they were a member. As noted by sites such as IDTheftInfo. The most popular website being used in this particular smishing scam, for example, is www. Walmart does give away legitimate gift cards to the winners of drawings for receipt surveys, and these drawings take place four times per year. However, the winners of these gift cards are always notified by certified mail, not via email or text message. In reality, we were able to confirm that many of these images are taken from other sources some from years ago and used to add credibility to the scam. This particular scam is similar to previous insidious hoaxes relating to free gift cards from Walmart and other retailers. On its web site, Walmart offered this advice to anyone who receives suspicious or unsolicited communications.
Download today! She drove 50 miles in all, so consumed by stress that she skipped lunch. Her ordeal began earlier that day when she logged onto her computer to research an anti-fungal cream. An alarm blared. The error and warning messages sent by Microsoft never include a phone number, so if you receive such an alert with a phone number, do not call it, Microsoft says. The woman phoned Microsoft or so she thought and a man who called himself Chris Wright gave her his purported badge number. The alarm persisted. She was so unnerved that she was shaking, and teeth were chattering. Join today and get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. Wright, a name she now believes is fake, told her to turn down the volume on the computer but not to turn off the device. Even after lowering the volume, the alarm still screeched. He asked if she drove. Eight of the 26 Target gift cards a fraud victim in St. Louis was coerced into purchasing last month. After the fourth purchase, she was bedraggled and hungry and headed for home. And disappear. The Federal Trade Commission takes complaints about gift card fraud. The company also said it works closely with law enforcement and others to combat this illegal activity and prosecute criminals and encouraged customers to visit its website for tips on identifying gift card scams. The Minneapolis-based Target has 1, stores in the U. And she remains angry at the criminal who had her buy the now-useless gift cards. Previously she was a reporter with the Chicago Tribune, U. WayForth Home Transition Management. Free consultation and follow-up plan. No-fee personal loans. You are leaving AARP. Please return to AARP. Youll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARPs mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at www. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. Now Reading. Membership My Account. Rewards for Good. Share with facebook. Share with twitter. Share with linkedin. Share using email. Courtesy of fraud victim Eight of the 26 Target gift cards a fraud victim in St. Leaving AARP. Got it! Please dont show me this again for 90 days. Cancel Continue. Thank You. Your email address is now confirmed.