People have been receiving text messages that promise $175 worth of free groceries at Target. Many are thinking it was too good to be true, and for good reason. If you get this text message, delete it immediately and whatever you do, don’t click on the link. According to WFMY News 2, the text message has been circulating recently. It’s not only a scam, it can actually get you into a difficult situation.
When you get the text message, you are promised $175 worth of groceries at Target. It also provides a link, claiming that you can redeem the offer after following it. According to the news report, the link is bad and will install some dangerous features on your phone. This includes malware, spyware, ransomware, and an undetected virus. Hackers will then be able to obtain personal information, including banking and credit card information and passwords.
The most important thing to remember is that any text message, email, or offer needs to be checked out thoroughly. In most cases, you will be prompted to download something on your mobile device, and then you will be at the mercy of the scammers. “Don’t click on or respond to online ads or websites offering free gift cards. These are often scams,” Target wrote on its website.
Target is trusted by millions of people around the world and they do sometimes offer promotions and deals to their customers. If such a generous deal would have been made available, it would have been announced on their website and not send out through a random text message.
Scam alert: We’ve seen reports of a text message claiming to be from The City of Calgary and asking for your personal information sent to a Hotmail account.
To be clear: This is not us. We are not texting Calgarians. And we definitely don’t have a Hotmail account. pic.twitter.com/DHVgLBxkpz
— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) May 20, 2020
A Canadian local government office is also warning people about similar text messages offering free money but asking for personal information in order to obtain it. The text message doesn’t involve Target, but it shows you just how active those hackers are during this difficult time.