The Better Business Bureau wishes to call attention to a new type of texting scam called “smishing.” Consumers throughout the State of Kansas have been receiving cell phone text messages that claim they have won a Walmart Gift Card. The texts claim that the  consumer has won a free gift card. They instruct you to click on a link and enter some information.
Unfortunately, there is no gift card. It’s a scam to steal your credit card number and other personal info which will expose you to possible identity theft.
About the scam:
This scam has several versions. In one, the text reads “You just won a free $1,000 Walmart Gift Card, enter “1000” at LINK.” In another, it says: “Walmart $1,000 gift card for the first 1,000 users to go to LINK and enter code 2938.” The texts use different URLs, including:  
• promocenterdaily.com/walmart gift
• promocenter.ws/walmart  
• walmartgift.mobi
This text message is a twist on the classic email phishing scam in which scammers pose as a legitimate organization and send out emails containing links to scam sites. This type of scam is called “smishing” because it uses SMS technology to “phish” for consumers’ private information.
Below is the full text of Walmart’s statement about the scam.
Walmart’s Statement:
March 9, 2012 -- There has been a sudden increase in scam text messages referring people to a site where they can “claim a Walmart Gift Card” by entering certain private personal information. These attacks that take place through SMS text message technologies to personal mobile phones are scams and are in no way sponsored by or affiliated with Walmart. This type of scam has come to be known as “Smishing” because of the use of SMS text technology. Similar to the way scam web sites send “Phishing” emails, scam artists have been sending text messages offering free Walmart gift cards to consumers in exchange for entering information on a mobile website. The most popular website being used recently is called “walmartgift.mobi”. This site is not owned, operated by, or affiliated with Walmart. Any site can be used for this scam and users are often asked for private personal information including credit card numbers or social security numbers. Providing this type of information is very likely to lead to identity theft or credit card fraud.  
These text messages and the sites being used are not from Walmart and Walmart is not associated with parties promoting this activity. Walmart will never initiate a text message where we ask for sensitive personal data like credit card information or social security numbers
For more information or questions contact the BBB at 1-800-856-2417