Best Buy isn't giving away gift cards through text messages

Best Buy says people who get text messages telling them they've won a gift card and referring them to a website should disregard the message because it's a scam.

Spokeswoman Sarah Anderson told me Best Buy is investigating the situation, and people who get the message can report it to local authorities.

I was alerted to the scam by a co-worker, who said she got a text that said, "You received a free $1000 BestBuy Giftcard." The text referred her to visit a website that starts with "buygift809." Since she was going to the Best Buy in Whitehall Township on Saturday anyway, she asked customer service about it and was told they weren't aware of any giveaway. My friend said store staff told her she was the second person to ask about it, so apparently this is going around.

Be cautious in visiting websites that you're referred to from unsolicited text messages. There could be a virus or spyware lurking, or they could be trying to trick you into signing up for something.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stores aren't giving away money these days.

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