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.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:42:27 GMT
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
What do major hotel chains, the IRS, and the business partner of a top rapper have in common? Court records show the National Conference of Black Mayors owes all of them money. Big money.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:31:42 GMT
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
The FOX 5 I-Team found a pattern of payments and perks to one family by the local district attorney's office, and it's a pattern that has critics crying favoritism.
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