Wal-Mart warns of 'smishing' scam

In March 2012, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported it was experiencing a "sudden increase" in the frequency of a text message scam involving a bogus Wal-Mart gift card offer. Wal-Mart said the "smishing" scam, as opposed to an email-based phishing scam, involved consumers receiving simple message service (SMS) text messages that offered free Wal-Mart gift cards in exchange for entering personal information on a website.

Wal-Mart noted that www.walmartgift.mobi was the most popular site where consumers were being directed via SMS. "This site is not owned, operated by, or affiliated with Walmart," the big box retailer said. "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."

Wal-Mart said none of the sites to which consumers are directed are associated with Wal-Mart. The retailer added it never sends text messages to customers asking for personal data, such as credit card information and Social Security numbers.

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