A Tesco scam email promising your ‘rewards have arrived’ and offering you the chance to ‘win’ a £500 gift card is circulating online.
Whether it starts with a fake text message or an email, the latest scams are designed to tempt you into clicking through to websites that will then extract sensitive information - more often than not your bank card details.
Fraudsters can pose as any brand - such as delivery firms Evri and Royal Mail, online retailer Amazon or even the DVLA - including well-known supermarkets.
Similar emails posing as these stores have been around for a long time, but with the price of groceries rising amid the Cost of Living crisis some may end up being tempted by offers of £500 gift cards to spend at Tesco.
But if you do click through you’ll be taken to sites that have nothing to do with the brand
Here we explain how the Tesco email scam works and how to spot it.
What the Tesco scam email looks like
The fake Tesco email tells the recipient that their ‘rewards have arrived’ and offers them the chance to ‘win’ a £500 gift card.
At first glance the branding images used in the email appear genuine, but it’s vital that you take the time to carefully assess any communication you receive that has arrived out of the blue and offers you something for nothing.
On closer inspection you’ll realise that despite the clean-looking graphics, the text of the email does not quite make sense. A professional email from Tesco would not be written in such a way, and certainly wouldn’t attempt to send you to a site outside of its official domain.
If you’re on a desktop computer you can quickly check the URL an email is attempting to send you to by hovering over the link (without clicking) and viewing the destination at the bottom of your browser.
A spokesperson for Tesco said: “We’re aware of a scam email claiming the recipient has won a Tesco gift card. We will never send emails asking for personal or security information and emails offering prizes are potentially a scam.”
“Our email scams page provides some helpful tips on how to spot and avoid scams online.”
I responded to the Tesco Scam email, what should I do?
If you’ve entered sensitive information, such as your bank/card details, into a third-party site you were taken to via a suspicious email, you need to let your bank know what’s happened via its official channels ASAP.
Your bank should work with you to cancel your card, block any pending payments (if required) and refund the money you’ve lost.
You should also then keep an eye out for any follow-up scams that could occur if you’ve given contact details, such as your email address or phone number, away to fraudsters. Treat any contact you receive out of the blue with caution.
How can I report fake emails?
Fake emails and phishing websites can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre on report@phishing.gov.uk - action can then be taken to remove these websites before anyone else falls victim.
If you’re going to warn friends and family about a fake email, send them a screenshot - never forward the email on directly.
Tesco has its own dedicated page to spotting phishing scams.
Fake emails impersonating Tesco can also be reported to the supermarket by forwarding them to phishing@uk.tesco.com
Related articles
-
-
Octopus Energy relaunches energy tracker deal – we explain what you need to know and if it could save you money
If you’re an Octopus Energy customer, you may be able to save on your energy bills with the relaunch of its tracker deal. We look at how it works
-
Three energy firms pay £8m in switching compensation - has your provider paid out?
More than 100,000 customers have received compensation after changing providers, but is now a good time to switch energy suppliers?
-
Save on petrol: how to save 5p off a litre of fuel at Morrisons
Petrol prices may have been falling since last summer but every penny counts at the pump. Here’s how to save 5p a litre at Morrisons for a limited time
-
Morrisons relaunches discount scheme with cheaper prices for loyal shoppers
Morrisons is the latest supermarket to revamp prices and offers for its loyalty scheme members
-
Coronation freebies and discounts: what’s up for grabs
From free railcards and holiday giveaways to discounts off food, we highlight the special offers launched to mark the coronation of King Charles III
-
8 ways to get interest-free money if you’re struggling
Here are 8 clever ways to get interest-free income if you’re struggling with the rising cost of living
-
Best birthday freebies and discounts
Enjoy your special day with these birthday discounts and freebies - we highlight 22 of the best offers
-
Festival ticket scam warnings – how to protect yourself
Concert ticket scams have rocketed by more than 500% over the past year, while festival fraud has more than doubled. Here’s how to keep yourself safe ahead of the festival season.
-
Co-op Member Prices: Supermarket unveils discount scheme for loyal shoppers
New Co-op scheme means reduced prices for shoppers who join the co-operative. How much does it cost to join, and how does it compare to similar schemes run by Sainsbury’s and Tesco?
-
Emergency alert test: what to expect and how to avoid being scammed
We tell you everything you need to know about the UK’s first emergency alert test, which takes place this Sunday
