Supermarket voucher scams UK: how to tell if a voucher, coupon or prize is fake (2024)

FAQs

What are the latest scams to look out for? ›

The emails say you have been selected for the chance to win a £500 Tesco gift card, and provide a link to a website to claim your prize. But Action Fraud warned that this is a link to a phishing website that can steal your personal and financial information.

Your name, address and date of birth provide enough information to create another 'you'. An identity thief can use a number of methods to find out your personal information and will then use it to open bank accounts, take out credit cards and apply for state benefits in your name.

Your sort code and account number can be used to deposit money into your business account and to set up a direct debit, but they cannot be used to fraudulently move money out of your account. That said, you should always exercise caution when sharing bank details.

The Tesco Method involves shoppers using a discount coupon barcode that has been shared on social media at the self-checkout tills that allows them to to take a £1 discount off of packets of sweets.

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However, the supermarket giant warns this is a scam, and anyone who receives the email should delete it, and report it directly to Action Fraud.

Tesco has launched a 'voice of the checkout' competition across social media platform TikTok, calling for customers to enter for the chance to become the new voice of Tesco self-checkout tills.

Who get scammed the most? ›

On average, the oldest Americans lost the most money to online fraud. Roughly 105,000 individuals 60 and older reported a combined $966 million in losses, averaging more than $9,100 per person.

More top tips to avoid doorstep scams:

Set up a password with your utility providers to be used by anyone they send round so you can be sure they're genuine. Don't be embarrassed to say 'No' or ask people to leave. Never sign anything on the spot – take the time to think about any offer, even if it seems genuine.

Scammers use a number of tactics to pressure victims into making poorly-judged decisions. According to Dr Brooks, there are three main psychological techniques scammers are currently using to trick people – time pressure and illusions of scarcity, authority bias and greed and status.

Brazil: Brazil has earned the moniker “scam capital of the world.” It has been noted how Brazilian fraudsters disguise themselves as attractive women in order to persuade and deceive the unsuspecting and ignorant people who may fall prey to their scams.

Online shopping scams involve scammers pretending to be legitimate online sellers, either with a fake website or a fake ad on a genuine retailer site. How this scam works. While many online sellers are legitimate, unfortunately scammers can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off unsuspecting shoppers.

SpamCalls.net. You can use this free service for checking if your DID number is tagged as spam, as well as for reporting spam calls. To check your phone number, go to spamcalls.net, enter the needed number in the search bar, and click the search icon.

Criminals use stolen credentials and personal data to open accounts in the names of individuals without their knowledge. The information used to open these accounts often comes from data breaches and other data compromises.

What information does a scammer need to access my bank account? ›

The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.

Unfortunately, an ID fraudster can use your birthday as a piece of the puzzle to capture your identity and commit identity theft. Fraudsters need just three key bits of information to steal your identity and access your accounts, take out loans, credit cards, mobile phones in your name.

Also, you should never share your personal banking details, such as PIN, card number, card expiry date and CVV number (that's the three digit number, which, in Starling's case can be found on the right side of the signature strip).

Simple Answer is NO! Your Account Number is just for the sake of Information. Even someone knows your Account number, its IFSC code & your name, they can only deposit money to your account. With all these 2 information, no one can actually take out money from your account.

The good news is, if someone only has your bank account number, that won't give them enough intel to do any damage. Take comfort in knowing that no one will be able to withdraw money in your account if all they have is your account number.

Report Most Common Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: Phone calls.

The Top 10 Scams of 2021:

Social Security Number Phishing. Computer Tech Support (Traditional) Legal Authority Imposter. Sweepstakes/Lotteries.

Brazil: Brazil has earned the moniker “scam capital of the world.” It has been noted how Brazilian fraudsters disguise themselves as attractive women in order to persuade and deceive the unsuspecting and ignorant people who may fall prey to their scams.

What are the 3 most common scams made online? ›

The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.

When a scammer has your bank account and routing numbers, they could set up bill payments for services you're not using or transfer money out of your bank account. It's tough to protect these details because your account number and routing number are hiding in plain sight at the bottom of your checks.

SpamCalls.net. You can use this free service for checking if your DID number is tagged as spam, as well as for reporting spam calls. To check your phone number, go to spamcalls.net, enter the needed number in the search bar, and click the search icon.

Scam artists know this and sometimes target consumers with “phishing” scams via text message or SMS (short message service). Text message or SMS phishing—also called “smishing”—occurs when scam artists use deceptive text messages to lure consumers into providing their personal or financial information.

They might want you to invest money in stocks, bonds, notes, commodities, currency, or even real estate. A scammer may lie to you or give you fake information about a real investment. Or they may make up a fake investment opportunity. Investment fraudsters might say they are telemarketers or financial advisors.

The Bronx, New York—the borough of New York City with over 1.4 million people—has an unusually high fraud rate of over 21.5%. It is the only major city/place with a fraud rate of greater than 20% of all transactions.

Denmark came out on top of Forter's list for having the lowest percentage of fraudulent e-commerce transactions last year and had the highest score from Transparency International in 2014 based on its reputation for fighting corruption among independent fraud analysts.

Who is the first scammer in the world? ›

William Thompson lived in the mid-19th century in New York City and was likely the first person to become widely known as a “confidence man”—a type of fraudster that became hugely popular in the buzzing metropolises of the late industrial revolution.