Tesco customers have been warned to beware of a scam email promising free groceries after 197 reports of fraud last week.
Anyone receiving the email was asked to immediately delete it and not follow the link.
The dangerous email was reported by cybercrime experts at Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.
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The scam messages claimed people could win £500 worth of Tesco groceries by entering a competition and providing personal details.
Action Fraud said: “Beware of fake emails claiming to be from Tesco. The emails ask the recipient to use the link provided in order to win ‘free groceries’.
“Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: [email protected]
“Action Fraud received 197 reports in one week of fake emails claiming to be from Tesco.
“The emails state that the recipient can win ‘free groceries’ by entering a contest. The links provided in the emails lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal and financial information.”
(Image: Stock Fraud)
The messages contained some of the telltale signs of fraud, including poor grammar, spelling mistakes and URLs that were not official Tesco sites.
Action Fraud’s top tips to protect yourself against fraud:
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Do not give any personal information to organizations or individuals before verifying their credentials.
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Make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed.
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Many scams start with a phishing email. Remember that banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details. Do not trust these emails, even if they seem genuine.
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Sign up for Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you can while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card company and adds an extra layer of security to online transactions with registered retailers.
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You should get a copy of your credit report regularly and check for entries you don’t recognize.
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Destroy and preferably shred receipts with your card details and post them with your name and address. Identity fraudsters don’t need a lot of information to be able to clone your identity.
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If you receive bills, bills, or receipts for things you didn’t buy, or if financial institutions you don’t normally deal with contact you about unpaid debts, take action. Your identity may have been stolen.
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Be extremely wary of letters, telephone calls or e-mails proposing unannounced commercial offers. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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