The old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it is” clearly applies in this example of SPAM text messages claiming gift cards at a highly discounted rate.

There are several red-flags that show this type of advertisement is likely a scam:

1. Unsolicited telemarketing via automated messages is illegal.  This includes unsolicited telemarketing text messages.  Anyone that sends you such a text is flouting the law and is unlikely to be offering anything legitimate.
2. Companies just don’t give away something for nothing.  The best discount you can hope for on a gift card is from one of the many secondary marketplaces that exist.  You are unlikely to get better than a 20% discount on a gift card an popular gift cards (like Walmart) are in high demand and sell for a much smaller discount.
3. The text messages claim the gift cards are free but upon further investigation, there is a small fee.