A text-based phone scam that sends out a message telling recipients they have won a $1,000 gift card to Best Buy is circulating around the Puget Sound region.
The message includes a link to a website where recipients are asked to provide personal information, such as their names, email addresses and dates of birth. Redmond Police spokesman and community outreach facilitator Jim Bove offered the following advice to people who receive questionable text messages:
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is. You can check similar websites to find out if they are legitimate or you can call the business directly to confirm—just make sure you are looking on their legitimate website to get the appropriate contact information. If you have fallen victim to this, or a similar, scam, please report it to your local law enforcement agency.
In a news release issued earlier this year, the Better Business Bureau offered additional information on the scam and tips to for those who receive such text messages.
