Tesco shoppers are a popular target for scammers. We reveal the most common tactics used by fraudsters to trick you out of cash, including fake vouchers, phishing emails and scam texts.
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Tesco Bank phishing emails
Scam Facebook posts
You’ll quite often find scam posts doing the rounds on Facebook. They’ll offer generous discounts for clicking on a link and possibly filling out a questionnaire.
The post will say something like:
1) First, Share This Page
2) Lastly, Type "Thanks Tesco" below then hit comment.
The reason it asks you to comment or share is simply to spread the scam to other unsuspecting victims. Any links contained in the post will go to a fraudulent page with an authentic-looking Tesco logo and the ‘Every Little Helps’ tagline.
You can often tell by the URL whether or not the website is legitimate. If it clearly has no connection to the brand, be wary. Websites with .net or .org at the end can be bought by dodgy organisations and are rarely used for online shopping.
‘Like’ farming
Fake Tesco ‘offers’ page
There isn’t a separate offers page on Facebook from Tesco. It’s being used to lure you in and get your clicks.
Check your free credit report for anything suspicious
'Free voucher' giveaway
Email and text voucher scams
There is a scam email promising £500 worth of Tesco vouchers after answering a survey on their phone.
However, those that completed the questionnaire are finding they’ve been signed up to a premium rate text service, which charges them to be entered into a monthly draw.
There have also been reports of text message scams taking you to a questionable website to get your voucher.
@Tesco is this genuine or a scam? pic.twitter.com/RxJrrZwXqh
— David Tarling (@Davetarling) February 1, 2017
Of course, it's not just Tesco that scammers are imitating. Read our roundup of the most common supermarket scams and how to avoid them.
How to avoid Tesco scams
The same rules apply here as they do to many other scams.
Dodgy spelling and grammar, pressure to act quickly and offers that seem ‘too good to be true’ are sure-fire warning signs of a fraudster.
Links in scam emails often go to questionable sites – make sure you’re always keeping an eye on the URL.
It’s best practice to check the left-hand side of the URL bar for a green padlock key or the word ‘secure’. This is especially true if you’re making a payment.
Similarly, check the domain of the sender if you’re suspicious of an email. It probably won’t be in any way related to the company that’s trying to contact you.
If all else fails, contact Tesco directly by phoning their customer service line on 0800 50 5555 or send scam emails to phishing@tescobank.com.
Check your free credit report for anything suspicious
Be wise to these other scams:
New trick scammers are using to pose as YOUR bank
New Council Tax scam + four others to watch out for