Q. Kim, I got a text message saying that I won a new iPad 3. The message had a link with Apple's web address, but when I clicked on it and typed in the code it gave me, it went to another website. Should I pursue this or is it a con? Thanks, Kim; I love your show.
-Wade from Santa Rosa, CA, watches my national radio show live with his Kim's Club membership.

A. I'm sorry to say that you're looking at a scam, Wade. I tried the site link you sent me and it's completely shady.

Fortunately, I can give you some pointers for avoiding similar scams in the future.

The first clue that this was a scam is that I'm sure you didn't solicit the text. For example, you probably didn't sign up for a contest.

No legitimate companies just give away items in random text messages. You know the old saying, "If it's too good to be true ..."

Another clue is that the message supposedly came from Apple. Now, you might not know this, but Apple doesn't do product giveaways. In fact, most major companies don't, especially without making you sign up first.

Then there's the fact that the text message said you won an iPad 3. In fact, there is no such thing. The official name for the third-generation iPad is The New iPad. An official text from Apple wouldn't make that mistake.