Walmart $250 Pearls

 CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Win a $250 Walmart Pearls

I've heard of such schemes before. It is, without a doubt, a ruse. No, Walmart isn't really giving out free gift cards through Facebook or any other means.

Thieves develop these types of "deals" in the hopes of luring users to malicious websites that will lead to computer viruses, identity theft, or anything else nefarious.

Clicking on the link may allow a bad guy to take over your Facebook profile and send direct messages to your friends or post phony information, such as a $250 Walmart gift card offer.

Walmart's website contains the following information:

Unsolicited e-mails, Internet pop-up adverts, and text messages should not be opened or responded to.

Don't respond to or click on online ads or websites that offer free gift cards.

Walmart does not send gift cards by email or text messages, nor does it provide them in exchange for "likes" or social media sharing.

If you opt-in to receive such messages, Walmart will only phone or text you with offers.

Passwords, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other financial information will never be requested through email from Walmart. Walmart will not contact you or send you an email requesting this information without your permission.

In your second sentence, you struck on the important phrase: "if something sounds too good to be true." I'd add something to that filter. Whatever the source, if anything sounds unusual or doesn't seem quite right, we should question it.

It's sad that, because to technology, we can now get emails that appear to be from a friend but aren't. We may receive phone calls that appear to be from our bank, grandson, or the IRS, but they aren't. It's possible to receive text messages that appear to be from our credit card company or email provider, but they aren't.

The purpose of these con artists is to steal personal information, money, or both. Avoid clicking on links to help yourself. Even from people you know, you didn't anticipate it.

Help yourself by not disclosing personal information to someone who may not be who they claim to be. You can help yourself by conducting some research: type "$250 Walmart gift card scam" into a search engine like Google or Yahoo and you'll find out exactly what I did.

You must take responsibility for your own health. Always be on the lookout. Always be wary of strangers. Don't be concerned about appearing impolite or suspicious. Scam protection is getting increasingly crucial every day.