Medium riskText Message

Loyalty Points Scam

This scam claims your loyalty points, reward balance, or air miles are about to expire and pushes you to redeem them through a link, which leads to a phishing page built to steal your account login or card details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Rewards phishing scam
Main red flag
An urgent message saying your points expire soon and must be redeemed through a link right away.
What to do first
Do not use the link. Sign in to the rewards account directly through the official app or website to check.

What to know first

This scam claims your loyalty points, reward balance, or air miles are about to expire and pushes you to redeem them through a link, which leads to a phishing page built to steal your account login or card details.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: An urgent message saying your points expire soon and must be redeemed through a link right away. Do not use the link. Sign in to the rewards account directly through the official app or website to check.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Fake Giveaway Scam and the Customer Survey Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Text Message Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • A claim that points or rewards expire within hours unless you act now
  • A specific points balance designed to feel real and worth saving
  • A link that does not lead to the official retailer or airline website
  • A request to log in or confirm card details to 'release' the reward
  • Wording that creates urgency or fear of losing something valuable

Staying safe

  • Avoid the link and do not enter your login or card details
  • Check your points balance by signing in through the official app or website directly
  • Compare the sender and link against the brand's genuine contact details
  • Report and delete the message if it appears to be a scam

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Your 4,500 reward points expire in 24 hours. Redeem them now before they are lost: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: An urgent message saying your points expire soon and must be redeemed through a link right away.

Steps if you already acted

  • Do not enter any more details on the page
  • Change your password for that rewards account and anywhere you reused it
  • If you entered card details, contact your bank to flag or freeze the card
  • Review the rewards account and your statements for unexpected activity

Common mistakes

  • Do not reply to the message or call any number it provides
  • Do not share verification or one-time codes
  • Do not log in through the link to 'save' your points

Scams like this one

Medium risk Social Media

Fake Giveaway Scam

This scam tells you that you won a prize or giveaway, then asks for a fee, your login, or personal details to 'claim' it.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Text Message

Customer Survey Scam

This scam invites you to complete a short customer satisfaction survey for a reward from a known brand, then asks for card details to cover 'shipping' on the prize or harvests your personal data.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Fake Coupon Scam

This scam uses fake discount codes, 'spin to win' wheels, or coupon sites that look like a deal but exist to collect your personal and card details, push survey traps, or spread links across social media.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Do loyalty points really expire that suddenly?
Genuine schemes usually give long notice and clear terms about expiry. A message demanding action within hours through a link is a common scam pressure tactic.
The message named a real shop or airline I use. Is it safe?
Scammers often impersonate well-known brands. Even if you have an account, check your balance through the official app or site rather than the link in the message.
What if I already logged in through the link?
Change your password for that account immediately and for any other account using the same password. Then check the account for any unauthorised changes or redemptions.
How can I report a loyalty points scam?
You can report it to the retailer or airline through their official fraud page, forward suspicious texts to your mobile provider, and notify your national fraud reporting body.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.