BECKLEY — As holiday shopping ramps up, scammers are exploiting shoppers’ excitement by sending fake text messages and customer surveys that aim to steal personal information, according to the Better Business Bureau.
The scam typically begins with a text message that appears to come from a well-known retail chain, offering a free product, discount, or gift card in exchange for completing a short survey. Messages often emphasize that the offer is “limited-time” to pressure recipients into acting quickly.
Clicking the links in these messages can lead to fraudulent websites requesting sensitive personal information, including full names, addresses, and email addresses. In some cases, clicking the link may also install malware on a device, giving scammers further access to private data.
BBB officials said shoppers should be cautious of unsolicited messages, especially those with suspicious links or errors. Legitimate companies rarely ask for sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers or full addresses, for a simple survey.
Other warning signs include promises of unusually high rewards, vague information about the survey’s purpose, and a sense of urgency meant to push recipients into acting without careful consideration.
To protect themselves, shoppers should avoid clicking unknown links and instead visit the retailer’s official website to verify any promotions. The BBB also recommends researching unfamiliar surveys online or consulting the BBB Scam Tracker.
For more safety tips, the BBB encourages consumers to visit BBB.org/ScamTips or contact the office in Canton at 330-454-9401.
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