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Seniors targeted in fake $100 Sam’s Club reward scam

Security expert warns victims can lose thousands of dollars

Updated:

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By:
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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
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Key Insights

  • Fraudulent $100 Sam’s Club reward offers are circulating online.
  • Scammers are tricking victims into sharing personal and financial data.
  • Sam’s Club confirms the offers are not legitimate and warns customers to stay alert.

A new online scam is targeting seniors and other bargain hunters by dangling the promise of a $100 Sam’s Club reward. However, it’s nothing more than a ploy to steal personal information.

The scheme typically arrives in the form of unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media ads claiming shoppers have “won” or are “eligible” for a $100 Sam’s Club gift card. 

Recipients are urged to click a link and fill out a short survey or provide sensitive information, including names, addresses, credit card details, or even Social Security numbers. Needless to say, that’s a huge red flag.

Cybersecurity analysts say the scam follows a common pattern: lure victims with the promise of easy rewards, then harvest their data for identity theft or fraudulent purchases. 

“This crime has been radically increasing,” Pete Nicoletti, chief information security officer at Check Point, told Fox News Digital. “The average take is approaching $40,000.”

One recent victim told Fox the email looked professional and bore the official Sam’s Club logo at the top. It read, “YOUR OPINION IS IMPORTANT. Exclusive. YOU CAN GET A $100 REWARD.” 

The email asked the recipient to “Take a short survey to claim your $100 reward. Click the button below to get started,” with a bold black button labeled “GET STARTED NOW!”

Sam’s Club policy

Sam’s Club has confirmed it is not behind these offers. In a statement, the retailer stressed that it does not distribute rewards through unsolicited links and urged members to verify promotions only through its official website or mobile app.

Victims who click the links may also unknowingly download malware that can compromise their devices. Authorities recommend deleting suspicious messages immediately and reporting them to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Consumer advocates caution shoppers to stay skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true. 

As the holiday shopping season approaches – a peak time for scams – experts advise extra vigilance, especially when dealing with reward or rebate offers online.