Montana Residents Warned About Loyalty Rewards Text Scam

Rewards points are great, right? Companies love them because they help build customer loyalty, and we love them because we get free stuff. From your favorite coffee shop and gas station to cookie and sandwich shops, it seems like everybody has some version of a rewards points system.

However, if you’ve gotten one of those “your rewards points expire TODAY” texts lately, you’re not alone. And no, it’s probably not your favorite shop looking out for you.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, scammers are ramping up phishing texts that look like legit rewards alerts. And apparently, they’re hitting folks across Montana just like everywhere else.

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Here’s how this latest scam works.

The message creates urgency, telling you to click a link or kiss your hard-earned points goodbye. But if you click, the FTC says they’ll try to steal your personal information (like your Social Security or credit card number) or download harmful software on your phone.

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The safest move? Don’t click. Not even a “just to check.” Instead, go straight to the company’s official website or app yourself and see if your points are actually about to vanish. More than likely, they aren't about to expire, and you just prevented identity theft or a nasty virus on your phone.

A few more ways to stay ahead of the scammers.

• Turn on spam filters on your phone or with your carrier.
• Keep your phone software updated.
• Report junk texts. Both Apple and Android make it pretty easy.

Bottom line: if a random text is rushing you to act fast, it’s probably not doing you any favors. In Montana or anywhere else, a little skepticism goes a long way and might just save you from a digital headache.