New Tesco text message scam uses your number plate to con you out of cash
The text message gives three names and their car number plates along with a message of congratulating them
TESCO has warned customers about a new text message scam that uses the number plate of your car to con you out of cash.
Shoppers revealed the scam on Facebook after sharing screenshots of messages they assumed were from fraudsters.
One of the posts sent to Tesco read: "I'm guessing this is a scam text?!"
The text message gives three names and their car number plates along with a message of congratulating them, before asking the customer to confirm by pressing a link in the text.
It's not yet clear what the links lead to but it's believed to be a phishing attempt, with those clicking on such links usually asked to put in personal information.
The data is then used by scammers to steal your money.
Responding to the posts, Tesco confirmed that the text is a scam and said that it'd never send customers a message asking them for personal information.
The Tesco spokesperson said: "Thanks for letting us know about this. I can confirm this is a scam and our phishing team are aware and currently investigating.
"Our customers' security is extremely important to us and I'd like to assure you that we would never send any of our customers a message which asks them to input any personal or security details.
"Please send this in an email to [email protected] and delete the message without clicking on any links and we thank you for your patience while we look into this."
Text message scams are unfortunately nothing new. In fact, 200,000 Brits are victims of scam text messages they don't realise they're paying for.
Meanwhile, here's the text scam you should never reply to, according to Action Fraud.
How to spot a fake message or email
IF you've received an email or text message claiming to be from your bank or a retailer, then these are the things you should look out for:
- Your bank or the retailer will always address a customer by name
- They will never ask a customer for their PIN, password or full memorable information
- The bank would never ask a customer to click on a link in an email or text message that takes you to a page which asks you for your username, password or any other information
- They would never ask a customer to email or text them PINs, card details or passwords
- Customers should not click on any links in emails if they have concerns
- Customers are encouraged to call their bank if they have any concerns about an email they have received
More on money
Yesterday, The Sun also revealed how one man lost £66k life savings and his home after falling for Bitcoin investment scam.
Last week, Morrisons also urged customers not to fall for a text message scam that could give fraudsters permission to empty your bank account.
And in the end of last year, Netflix users were once again warned not to fall for fake emails asking customers to update their payment details.
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