Protecting yourself from common scams and fraud
Knowing the common scams and how to spot a genuine email, texts and calls from us will help you protect yourself from fraud.
Knowing the common scams and how to spot a genuine email, texts and calls from us will help you protect yourself from fraud.
Be cautious with any email, text or call you receive about your accounts, especially when it comes out of the blue. Fraudsters use these ways to contact you to try and trick you into sending them your personal information or money.
Authorised Push Payment fraud (APP fraud) happens when someone tricks you into sending money to them under false pretences. Fraudsters may contact you by phone, email or social media, pretending to be someone else.
These scams can be complex and very convincing. APP fraud payments are requested by bank transfer or other types of online payment, so they can’t be reversed once you realise you’ve been a victim.
How to protect yourself:
If you are contacted and asked to send money, stop and think – ask yourself if this could be a scam?
Find out more on our dedicated APP fraud page.
Fraudsters try to take advantage of emails to trick you into sharing personal information or access to your accounts. Their fraudulent emails can be very convincing.
What is Phishing?
Phishing emails are a confidence trick. They appear to be from your bank or legitimate organisations and can look genuine. However, they contain links or attachments that can take you to dangerous fake websites or download malware.
How to protect yourself:
If you’ve received a suspicious email that you think might be a scam, send it to us at phishing@tescobank.com
Be vigilant when someone you don’t know calls you. Fraudsters will aim to trick you into giving them your details or transferring money into a bank account they have control over.
What is Vishing?
Vishing is just like phishing, but it happens over the phone. Fraudsters may call pretending to be your bank or your internet/phone provider or even the police.
How to protect yourself:
Text scams
Texts can be used just like phishing emails, appearing to be an official message from your bank. Fraudsters often copy the security alert or offer messages banks send to their customers.
What is Smishing?
Smishing messages are texts that contain a link to a dangerous site, or a fake phone number to call. The messages look authentic, often telling you that a refund is ready for you, or there’s a problem with your account. They usually have a sense of urgency, telling you to ‘act fast’.
How to protect yourself:
If you receive a suspicious text, report it to your network operator. Simply forward the text to 7726. This won’t cost you anything.
We have specialised multi-layered security to protect your accounts with our computer systems. Fraudsters may instead attack your computer using malware.
What is Malware?
Malware is harmful software designed to infect your computer without your consent or knowledge. Malware can take control of your computer and steal your security or bank details.
How to protect yourself:
Being careful is the best defence, especially when clicking on attachments and links that are sent to you by email or text.
Identifying emails from us
If an email is from Tesco Bank:
If you doubt the authenticity of a phone call, text message or letter then please call the number on your statement or card. Or find a relevant security and fraud number:
Cifas is a not-for-profit fraud organisation. It provides information and tools to help you understand fraud and financial crime, and advice on how to protect yourself.
If you’ve been a victim of identity fraud, or are worried your personal data is at risk, they offer Protective Registration. You might be at a higher risk of identity theft if:
To help protect you, Cifas’ Protective Registration adds a warning flag against your name on a register that’s shared with other organisations. That means they know to pay close attention if your details are used to purchase products or services. Visit Cifas.org.uk for more information.
The following information may also be helpful: