The promise of free reward money or gift cards from major retailers like Tesco seems highly appealing. But supposed free gift card offers promoted via social media ads and spam emails usually turn out to be thinly-veiled ruses for stealing personal information and cash.
One current scam making the rounds dangles a £700 Tesco gift card as bait for victims. Using Tesco branding without permission, the Tesclaim.com website tricks victims by claiming all you have to do is click a link and answer some questions to receive the massive gift card credit. However, it’s just a facade for funneling victims into shady websites and services carrying hidden fees.
Overview of the Tesclaim Tesco Gift Card Scam
The Tesclaim.com website displays the Tesco logo prominently and poses a series of questions implying that answering them will qualify you for a £700 Tesco gift card:
“How often do you shop at Tesco? How helpful would a £700 Tesco gift card be for you right now? What types of products would you like to review at Tesco?”
After answering, victims are congratulated for qualifying and told to click on “Claim Now” and complete 3-5 “sponsored deals” to receive the supposed gift card.
However, Tesco is not actually giving away £700 gift cards for answering basic questions on this site. And completing “sponsored deals” does not generate a code for a free gift card either. The promises are completely bogus.
In reality, clicking the link sends victims through an affiliate funnel aimed at collecting personal data and signing people up for subscription services or dubious offers that result in credit card charges.
This scam takes advantage of the Tesco brand recognition to trick UK shoppers who would love to receive a massive pre-paid card credit. But the website has no actual association with the real Tesco rewards programs.
Step-by-Step Explanation of the Scam Process
Here is a walkthrough of what happens when you click on the link on Tesclaim.com:
1. Scam Ads and Emails Lead to Tesclaim.com
The scam starts with social media ads, pop-ups, text messages, or spam emails directing victims to the Tesclaim.com website.
Subject lines like “Claim Your £700 Tesco Gift Card Here” or “Receive a £700 Tesco Gift Card Now” entice people to click on the links. The messages illegally use the Tesco logo to appear valid.
2. Site Poses Questions Implying Card Can Be Claimed
The Tesclaim site displays the Tesco logo prominently and asks a series of questions including:
“How often do you shop at Tesco? How helpful would a £700 Tesco gift card be for you right now? What types of products would you like to review at Tesco?”
Answering the questions gives the impression that completing this basic survey qualifies you to claim a £700 gift card. But there are no details provided on how card codes are generated or delivered.
3. Clicking “Claim Now” Leads Down an Affiliate Funnel
When victims click the “Claim Now” button believing they will receive a £700 Tesco gift card, they are instead redirected to an affiliate funnel.
This means victims are forced to hand over personal information, agree to subscribe to services, or download apps and software they likely do not want. The purpose is to collect data and expose victims to offers carrying commissions.
4. “Deals” Include Downloads, Junk Trials, and Subscription Traps
To receive the promised gift card, victims must complete 3-5 “sponsored deals”. These offers prey on victims’ desires to claim the £700 reward:
- Downloading shady apps or browser extensions
- Signing up for “risk-free” trial offers that convert into paid subscriptions
- Submitting a ton of personal information like full name, birthdate, addresses, phone numbers, etc.
- Completing pages of time-wasting surveys and questionnaires
Many downloads are affiliated malware or spyware. Trials turn into charges victims must proactively cancel. And personal info is sold to other shady parties.
5. No Gift Card is Received – Just Recurring Charges
After completing the required “deals”, victims find out there is no actual £700 Tesco gift card. The promise was a total scam designed to expose people to junk offers.
Instead, victims are left with:
- Monthly credit card charges for any paid trials they signed up for but didn’t cancel in time
- Malware on devices from downloaded apps and software
- Spam emails flooding inboxes with more scammy offers
- Personal info sold and used to target victims for other scams
Meanwhile, the scammers behind the affiliate funnel profit from commissions earned on each completed offer or download.
What to Do If You Fell for the Tesco Gift Card Scam
If you already clicked on the link from Tesclaim.com and went through the funnel, here are important steps to take right away:
- Carefully check credit cards and bank accounts and dispute any unauthorized charges. Watch out for recurring monthly fees.
- Scan devices for malware and uninstall anything downloaded from the affiliate flow to avoid compromise.
- Change passwords on any accounts you may have entered information for to protect credentials. Enable two-factor authentication if possible.
- Contact the major credit bureaus to implement protective fraud alerts in case your information gets misused.
- Report the scam to the UK Fraud and Cybercrime Reporting Centre, Tesco security team, and any other entities that can help shut the scam down. The more reports filed, the better.
- Forward any scam emails to spam@uce.gov and your email provider to help block further spread. Delete all messages related to the bogus offer.
Staying vigilant following exposure to gift card scams limits damages and helps authorities stop ongoing schemes. Don’t let desire for free rewards allow scammers to take advantage.
Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan
Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. The fastest way to find out is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Free — one of the most trusted malware removal tools available.
The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:
- Adware — the cause of those annoying pop-ups
- Browser hijackers — unwanted redirects and changed homepages
- Trojans and spyware — hidden programs stealing your data
- Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) — software you never asked for
👉 Select your device below — Windows, Mac, or Android — then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The scan usually takes 5 to 20 minutes.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
That’s it — your Windows PC is now clean of trojans, adware, and other malware, and should be back to running smoothly.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
That’s it — your Mac is now free of adware, rogue browser extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options.
This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue.
Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step.
Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue.
Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
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Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
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Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
That’s it — your Android phone is now clean — no more malicious apps, adware, or browser redirects.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Stay Protected: Block Ads and Malicious Sites
Now that your device is clean, keep it that way. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.
We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Tesclaim.com Scam
1. What is the £700 Tesco gift card scam?
This is a scam where ads and emails direct victims to Tesclaim.com by promising a free £700 Tesco gift card. The site displays the Tesco logo and has users answer questions to “qualify.” But it’s completely fake and not associated with Tesco.
2. How does the Tesco gift card scam work?
Victims are lured by ads or emails promising an easy £700 gift card. Clicking takes them to Tesclaim.com to answer questions and click “Claim Now.” But that redirects to an affiliate funnel, not a gift card. Victims have to complete “deals” and enter personal info, allowing scammers to profit from commissions and stolen data. No gift card is ever provided.
3. Are the “deals” on Tesclaim.com legitimate?
No. The deals are for suspicious downloads, junk trials, and sketchy subscriptions unrelated to Tesco. They often convert to recurring monthly charges. The apps and downloads may contain malware. None of the deals should be trusted.
4. What happens after completing the deals?
Victims receive no £700 Tesco gift card after finishing the deals. The promise was completely fake. Instead, victims find monthly charges from trials, spam emails, and potential malware or breached information if personal data was entered.
5. What are signs this is a scam?
Red flags include the too-good-to-be-true gift card amount, strange requirement to complete deals, use of Tesco’s branding without permission, and requests for personal information. Tesco would never give away gift cards via random ads or emails.
6. What should I do if I entered information or downloaded apps?
Monitor accounts closely for any fraudulent charges from trials.
Cancel any pending trials immediately to avoid monthly billing.
Scan devices and delete anything downloaded from the site to remove malware.
Change passwords on any accounts you entered info for.
Contact credit bureaus to implement fraud alerts.
7. How can I avoid gift card scams?
Ignore ads or emails offering easy free rewards. They are likely scams.
Do not click links from senders you don’t know. Delete suspicious messages.
Verify promotions directly via a company’s official website before providing any personal information.
Never pay any money or fees to claim a legitimate prize or gift card.
8. Where can I report this scam?
Report this scam to the UK’s Action Fraud, Tesco, ad networks, and email providers. The more reports filed, the more likely this scam campaign can be shut down.
The Bottom Line on the Tesclaim.com Scam
The bottom line is – Tesclaim.com has absolutely no connection to Tesco. There are no £700 gift cards being given away. The website’s questions and prominent use of branding are intended to trick victims into thinking it’s legitimate.
In reality, it’s just a facade funneling victims into various subscription traps, information harvesting, and malware downloads. You will not receive a real gift card by clicking on this scam website and jumping through hoops.
To avoid this “£700 Tesco Gift Card” scam, remember:
- Tesco does not give away huge gift cards in exchange for answering basic questions or submitting personal information. That would make no business sense.
- If an offer seems suspiciously easy, like free rewards for minimal effort, it’s almost certainly a scam. Delete suspicious messages.
- Never provide sensitive personal info to unfamiliar sites found via spam emails or ads.
- Downloading software should only be done from official sources and well-reviewed publishers you trust.
Stay vigilant against gift card scams by treating supposed free reward offers with skepticism. Also be wary of sites pressuring you to download software or hand over personal data to earn prizes. With sound judgment, you can avoid traps like the bogus £700 Tesco gift card scam.
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