Best Buy Gift Card Deal Scam: How It Works
The consumer electronics giant Best Buy is still going strong in being a leader in the industry while providing reliable products and prices. The Best Buy gift card deals are also very popular but unfortunately, criminals use them to victimize people who don’t pay attention to details. The latest scam comes via a text message references the brand name but has a new twist. How does the scam work?
Watch the video below to see the Brand Name Gift Card scam exposed:
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There are a few variations of this scam, but mainly it works like this: you receive a text message claiming to be from Best Buy or any other major brand name company. They say they are giving away a $1,000 gift card. The message also reads that the offer is only available to the first thousand people to claim the prize.
The recipient of the text is prompted to access a website, such as BestBuyWin.com or BestBuy.com/bhtk.biz and use a promo code, usually a number. Once that number is submitted, the victim is taken to a different website.
To receive the gift card, the victim is also required to provide an email address and personal information, then purchase six products and refer five friends who must also buy six items.
Thinking they’re still up for a good deal as they’ll receive a $1,000 gift card instead, victims pay hundreds of dollars or more for the products. They never receive the gift card, as Best Buy – the real company – has nothing to do with this.
Once they have collected all the personal information of their victims, scammers sell it to third parties. The trouble is, all of this is stated in the terms and conditions section of their site, but people always ignore reading that.
Similar to this scam, you might get a text informing that you are an “Apple winner” and you are invited to enter the code provided to claim Apple products, including iPads and iPhones. Beware!
Best Buy Gift Card Deal Scam: How To Avoid
The following numbers are just some that you might be receiving fraudulent texts from: (816) 806.7392, (314) 225.3365, (347) 237.3911, (347) 205.0265, (510) 219.2914, (229) 848.2215, (412) 315.1790, (412) 551.6792, and (412) 315.8985, (305) 458-8964. However, these numbers change all the time as they get caught and disconnected.
The same thing happens with the websites listed in the text messages. Be careful, as the domain name always contains the name of the real company, but features variations – additions of letters, numbers or special characters.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call the company and inquire about the existence of such promotional campaigns, although promotions like these – via text messages – are very rarely real.
Last but not least, always read the terms and conditions section and the fine print on everything you purchase. It’s your money. If gift cards and reward programs are really your thing, use only legitimate companies. One of the most trustworthy services out there is Swagbucks.com, which is the largest online rewards portal dedicated to helping customers earn gift cards, electronics, and exclusive merchandise. It’s worth checking them out – you can visit their website HERE
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Best Buy Gift Card Deal Scam: How To Report
Warn your family and friends about the Best Buy Gift Card Deal scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
How to protect yourself more:
If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You’ll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.
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5714411277. Newest scam. 10 winners every wednesday for a new prize. This week was an iPhone 11.
08033932059 received a msg of Gift of $280,000 USD. What is the true story of it?
Not sure if you know this one, but I just received a phonecall on my mobile from the number: 780-271-9173, with an automatic message saying because I am a loyal customer of Shopper’s Drug Mart, that I have won a free vacation, to accept press "1". Of course I didn’t, but wasn’t sure if their using Shopper’s name was new or not for their scams.
Also, one time a few months ago, my home phone rang, and the call display read, "Ben Moss Jeweler’s". Thinking my wife might have done something there, I answered, only to get that automatic message saying I have been chosen to win 250,000 Airmiles. Getting tired of their crap.
I received a call today from this number 305 994 7996 saying that I had a winning coupon that was filled in Walmart and I never did filled any Walmart coupons I didnt answered the call all this is in a voicemail ik for a fact is a scam
My mom received a text message on her phone from a number – 614-733-8329 with a winner ID:40756 indicating she wona $1000 Walmart Card or iPad for being a loyal customer. To redeem gift, you have to go to a website. I pointed out to her that if she had not entered a contest to win that, and given out her number, that it was impossible for her to legitimately win a prize.
433676522
There is also a Telus scam. They use Telus’ name to tell you in an automated voicemail that "you’ve been selected for something" (I think I heard catalogue, but not sure). Just ignore and hang up. The number the scammers use is (403) 4723304
602_753_5683 called me from phoniex arazonia sayin I won 100 walmart card but must pay 3.95 when ups gets here, by credit card.
I resibe for my phone im winer it is 787-698 9198
631-482-7928 Netflix ID:55354 You’ve won a iPad 3 or a $1000 giftcard for being a great customer! Get your gift at [website] I received this in a text on my smartphone.
3/1/2013 from 586.277.1312 Winner of $1000 gift card or Ipad3, for being a loyal customer of Netflix, claim here
winner #….. you won an ipad3 or a $1000 gift card from Netflix for being a lucky customer. BALONY
From: +1 (334) 352-9841 Winner number:40910 You have won a iPad 3 or a $1000 Walmart gift card from Netflix for being a lucky customer! Redeem your gift at [website]
Same deal in a text message from 516-690-6739 Netflix winner 32981 you won the $1000 Walmart giftcard or a new iPad3 for being a loyal customer. Claim you gift here [website].
On February 22, 2013 Received Text stating I won $1000 from Netflix, my winning # 95678 their #130-1660-6912
How can we stop this??
Same here and said"Netflix customer 81941 You won the $1000 BestBuy gift card or a new iPad 3for being a loyal customer! Redeem your gift at [website]" and came from number 928-288-2503
I received the Netflix winner and I had won $1000 card or new iPad from 323 642 8517. Thanks for posting this column…like my dad said, "There’s no such thing as a free lunch!"
Same thing from 913-732-3945
Received Friday Feb 22nd From 804-925-8571 "Netflix Winner ##### You won the $1000 Walmart giftcard or a new IPad3 for being a loyal customer! Claim your gift here [website] "
2/22/2013 from 412 387 7969 Netflix Winner of $1000 Walmart gift card or Ipad3, for being a loyal customer, claim here
I recieved a txt that stated i won a 1000 dollar gift card from walmart or an apple i-pad…The number it came from was 1-605-956-3082… my winner # was 28444, i was to claim the prise at"bit.y/YHLmen" Wish there was a way to SUE THE SCAMMERS…I am in if you figure out how to class action them… Jim
Netflix Winner 85357 from 16169870590. $1000 Walmart card. Claim at bit.ly/XpJPeN.
from 7028250492. A text about winning 1000$ gift card. Crap!
Same thing from 5673421761
Winner #22334 You’ve won the $1000 Walmart gift card or a New iPad4! Claim you gift at [website]
I was a part of the Best Buy $1000 gift card scam. Received a text message from [email protected] claiming I won first place and a code # F6R6 followed by site http://www.BestBuySurprise.mobi
Do not fall for any part of this. I gave them my name, address, phone, birth date and email.
Now I’m getting spammed to death. Getting solicitors calling my cell phone and I put a message on all three credit reporting agencies to block all new credit inquiries without special permission first.
I am now devoting all efforts possible to fight back against these scam artists and will do all I can to make them pay for the crimes of all who are affected.
I received this text message today:
+15104087042 Winner #24369 You’ve won a Ipad4 or $1000 Walmart Prize from Netflix! Redeem|Claim} your prize Now! bit.ly/Y1p58Y
Sat.
___________________
Sat, Feb 09 2013
2:09pm
i to entered the pch sweeps was asked to pay for shipping and promised a walmaet gift card feel like a nut
I received a text message this morning from (760) 383-1861 stating:
Winner #27019
You have won a Ipad 4 of $1000 Card from Netflix! Redeem/Claim} your prize here! bit.ly/XuyS7z
Got a text from 281-968-8056, saying I won an iPad.
today received from 313-451-4180
winner #34368 You have won a Ipad 4 or $1000 drawing from Netflix
yada yada yada
I receive one also today saying that I won I winter number 77260 that I won iPhone and 1000 dollars from Wallmart, through Netflix. From # 337 366 1527… also sent me a link but I have yet to open it…please let me know if there is any truth to this, THANX
I got the same text from 614-342-0380.
The one I received came from 937-969-0533.
You’ve won a Iphone 5 or $1000 Card from Netflix! Redeem|Claim} your prize here!
"USer #86155 You won a Iphone5 or $1000 Prize from Netflix! Claim your prize Now! bit.ly/WE2gc1"
was received on Jan 31 from 330-366-6037
I got this today: From +1 (267) 540 -3168
Viewer #64431 You won the $1000 Walmart Card or iPhone 5 from Netflix! Redeem your prize here! {attached hyperlink}
Just got this message:
"Your entry last month has WON! Go to http://www.target.com.rdfg.biz/?claimid=112 and enter your Winning Code: "6655" to claim your FREE $500 Target Giftcard!"