Watch for Gas Gift Card Giveaway Scams

via Jake Judd KNSI News

(KNSI) — While gas prices are falling, it’s still a considerable expense for most people, and scammers are looking to take advantage.

Fake gas cards are being pushed over text messages, email, and social media. Viridiana Quintana with the Better Business Bureau says if a company is giving away a free item, it should always be completely free, and “the thing that does make it stand out and it should be a red flag for anyone is when they ask for payment because there is a small fee.”

In one instance, the BBB says a consumer paid the $2 fee and was later charged $180. Issues of identity theft are also a concern.

Quintana says another thing to watch out for is if a company contacts you as the winner of a gas gift card giveaway, be suspicious and do your research. “Definitely look them up, look up their social media, look up their website to see if they’re actually doing gift card giveaways.”

Gas prices around the Lakes Area are around $4.20 for a gallon of regular unleaded.