Email scam of the week...

If you get an email that appears to be from the AARP, congratulating you on a $1,000 VISA gift card, don’t bother planning a shopping spree...

 The AARP has issued a warning regarding these bogus emails. It’s a scam that is just looking to collect your personal information. If you give it up, that data will be sold to marketing companies to target you with sales pitches, or possibly even use it to steal your identity.

These phony emails often have AARP misspelled in lower case and may even come in the form of a text message. The gift cards promised may also be from Walmart, Best Buy or Target. 

If you do receive one of these emails or texts – do NOT click the link. It will just take you to a consumer survey asking for your information. You would then be prompted to download something in order to claim your fake gift card.