Watch out for Tesco “COVID-19 season” phishing email scams

ByCraig Haley

Scammers are sending out fake emails claiming to be from Tesco offering free vouchers to those that click a link to register.

However, this is a phishing scam.

The email, which claims to be offering free vouchers this “COVID-19 season”, contains a link that leads recipients to a spoof website that is designed to harvest sensitive information such as a person’s personal details and even their login information.

If you fall for the scam, you are likely to find yourself on the receiving end of plenty of spam, and could even find yourself the victim of identity fraud.

How do I know it’s a phishing email?

There are plenty of tell-tale signs.

– The email addresses the recipient as “customer”. If Tesco have you on their mailing list (and if they don’t they won’t email you) then they will know your name and address you as such.

– The email uses 0 instead of o. E.g. Tesc0. This is likely so it can avoid email spam filters.

– Poor grammar.

– The link takes you to a website not owned by Tesco.

– The from: email address doesn’t belong to Tesco.

– If it appears too good to be true, it probably is. That is to say, you’re not going to get free vouchers just for clicking a link in an email.

– It’s doubtful that Tesco will use language such as “this COVID-19 season”.

If you get an email like this, it can be forwarded to phishing@tesco.com.

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