The holiday season is here, and it’s all about giving and sharing. Sadly, scammers are also busy trying to trick people during this time. One of their latest tricks? A fake H-E-B gift card giveaway. Let’s break it down so you can stay safe.
Imagine this: you get a text, an email, or see a post on social media saying you’ve won an $8,000 H-E-B gift card. Sounds amazing, right? But it’s not real. The message has a link that takes you to a fake survey page. This page is designed to steal your personal information, like your address, email, and even bank details.
These fake messages often look very convincing, using H-E-B’s logo and colors. They may also use urgent language like, “Act now! Offer expires soon!” to pressure you into clicking without thinking.
Unfortunately, you won’t get any gift card. Instead, the scammers will use your information for identity theft. They might even sell your details on the dark web, which could lead to even bigger problems like unauthorized charges on your bank account or your email being used for more scams. It’s a terrible situation to be in, especially during the holidays.
H-E-B knows about this scam and has warned customers. They’ve said they will never ask for your personal details through random surveys or giveaways like this. If there’s ever a real promotion, it will only be on their official website, HEB.com.
In their official statement, H-E-B also encourages customers to report these scams so they can help spread the word and protect others.
Here are some tips to protect yourself:
Spread the Word
Tell your friends and family about this scam so they can stay safe too. Scammers rely on people not being aware of their tricks. The more people know about these scams, the harder it becomes for fraudsters to succeed.
If you come across a suspicious message, report it to the company. Brands like H-E-B take these scams seriously and often act quickly to warn others and shut down fake websites.
Keep the Holidays Happy
The holidays should be a time of joy and celebration. Don’t let scammers ruin it for you. Stay alert, share this information, and enjoy a safe and happy season. By being cautious and spreading the word, you can help make the holidays scam-free for yourself and those around you.