Walmart Scam Alert: Phony Gift Messages.
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| Different social media groups promote this message to get people's attentions. Image: Collected from social media |
Walmart is warning consumers about a scam message circulating on social media that promises a free gift bag filled with goodies and a $75 voucher. The message asks recipients to respond with "YESS" to claim their prize.
The message, which is being shared on Facebook and other platforms, reads:
"The gift (Walmart bag) is knocking on your door tomorrow Just put YESS, No scam.. This is real."
Walmart has confirmed that this message is not authorized and that the company is not giving away any free gift bags. The message is designed to trick people into clicking on a phishing link, which could lead to their personal information being stolen.
How to Spot a Scam
There are a few red flags that can help you spot a scam:
- Promises of free or valuable items. Scammers will often lure you in with promises of free gifts or prizes.
- Requests for personal information. Scammers will often ask you for personal information, such as your name, address, or credit card number.
- Suspicious links or attachments. Scammers will often include links or attachments in their messages that can lead to phishing websites or malware infections.
What to Do If You See a Scam
If you see a scam message, the best thing to do is to ignore it and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report scams to Walmart by visiting the company's website.
Staying Safe Online
Here are a few tips for staying safe online:
- Be careful about what you click on. Don't click on links or attachments from unknown senders.
- Never give out your personal information online unless you are sure the website is secure. Look for websites that start with "https://" and have a padlock icon in the address bar.
- Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Create passwords that are at least eight characters long and include a mix of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Install antivirus and anti-malware software on your computer. This software can help protect your computer from viruses and malware.
- Be aware of the latest scams. Stay up-to-date on the latest scams by following reputable news sources and cyber-security blogs.
By following the awareness, you can help protect yourself from online scams.