A Warning About 'Smishing' Scams

Talk about news you can use! Contributed by Patch's Korrina Grom

I was sitting at my desk today, working, when I received a strange text message on my personal cell phone.

Your entry last month has WON!! Goto (URL) and enter your winning code to claim your free $1,000 BestBuy Gift Card.

I knew this was obviously a scam. I hadn't entered any contests. So I decided to look up some information online, and here is what I found on the Better Business Bureau website: a warning about gift card scams using the Best Buy and Walmart names.

Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois, said on the site that the offer is not legitimate, nor is it promoted by Best Buy or Walmart.

The Better Business Bureau called this a "smishing" scam, or the "practice of sending a phishing message to steal credit card or identity information via cell phone text messaging."

The Better Business Bureau offered these tips on its website:

• If you receive a questionable or unsolicited text message, check the URL or phone number for free on the Better Business Bureau website.

• Don't email or text personal and financial information.

• Review your credit card and bank statements to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.