Better Business Bureau warns of holiday text message scam - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Better Business Bureau warns of holiday text message scam

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -

People across the country are getting scammed by spammed text messages.  The Better Business Bureau for the Greater West Virginia area is warning residents to beware if they get a message that sounds too good to be true.

The text message states that you have won a gift card from Best Buy, Target, Walmart or another major retailer. When you follow the link, it takes you to a web site that looks authentic and asks you to enter an email address and a PIN number.

Victims are then asked to fill out personal information and asks unrelated questions.  From there, they are directed to a web page to apply for a credit card.

The Better Business Bureau said the texts are just ways for shady advertisers to collect personal information.  Store names and gift card amounts vary.

Here is a look at the typical text message:

"Black Friday Winner #88323!  You have WON the Best Buy Gift Card for $1000! Get your prize at {website} now!  Use the code 5417."

Officials said to ignore instructions to text "STOP" or "NO" to prevent future texts.  Scammers use this to verify they have a real phone number.

Texts should be forwarded to 7726 to alert your carrier to block future texts from the same number.