Scam watch: Tax refunds, text messages, American Express emails

Text messages – Cellphone users from across the United States have reported receiving unsolicited text messages that claim to be from Walmart. The texts tell consumers they’ve won a free gift card and provide a link to follow to claim the supposed prize. Instead, there is no gift card and the link is an attempt to steal victims’ credit card numbers and other personal information, the Better Business Bureau said in a recent bulletin.

American Express emails – The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a new scam centered on emails that appear to come from American Express but actually are attempts to install viruses on victims’ computers. The message provides recipients with a link to click to update their email address. Anyone who clicks the link will be directed to a website that downloads a virus onto victims’ computers, the BBB said. Consumers should delete the email and refrain from following links contained in unsolicited emails, the BBB said.

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