Scam E-mails Pose As Retail Store Rewards Programs

by Kylene Long

This holiday season, scammers have been working hard at tricking people into giving up their credit card numbers and other personal information.

A typical scam e-mail poses as a loyalty program from a big-box department store, for example Costco, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Sam's Club, or Walmart.

The e-mail typically claims that you've won a reward or prize. This might include a Le Creuset dutch oven, a Milwaukee tool chest, a Yeti cooler, a gift card, or some other exciting giveaway.

When you open the e-mail, you will usually be asked to click on a link, fill out a survey, and provide your credit card info to cover the cost of shipping your coveted prize.

If your e-mail provider doesn't have the best spam filters, scam e-mails like these may end up in your inbox—and you might see quite a few of them.

Don’t be fooled. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

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