‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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Scams have become increasingly prevalent in the digital age, with fraudsters constantly finding new ways to deceive unsuspecting individuals. One such scam that has gained traction in recent times is the ‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of this scam, including what it is, how it works, what to do if you have fallen victim, technical details, and relevant statistics.

Scams

What is the ‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam?

The ‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam is a fraudulent scheme that targets Facebook users by promising them a £50 coupon to celebrate Tesco’s anniversary. The scam typically involves a post or advertisement on Facebook claiming that Tesco is giving away free vouchers to a limited number of lucky winners. The post often includes an enticing image of the coupon and urges users to click on a link to claim their prize.

How Does the Scam Work?

Once a user clicks on the link provided in the scam post, they are redirected to a fake website that mimics the official Tesco website. The website prompts users to enter their personal information, such as their name, address, email, and phone number, under the guise of claiming the £50 coupon. In some cases, users may also be asked to complete a survey or share the post with their friends to increase their chances of winning.

Unbeknownst to the user, the scammers behind the scheme are harvesting their personal information for malicious purposes. This information can be used for identity theft, phishing attacks, or sold on the dark web to other cybercriminals. Additionally, by sharing the post or completing the survey, users inadvertently spread the scam to their friends and family, further perpetuating the fraud.

What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim?

If you have fallen victim to the ‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam or any similar scam, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself and minimize the potential damage.

  1. Change your passwords: Start by changing the passwords for all your online accounts, especially those associated with sensitive information such as banking or email accounts. Use strong, unique passwords that include a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters.
  2. Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity. Report any unauthorized transactions to your bank or credit card provider immediately.
  3. Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your online accounts. This typically involves receiving a verification code via SMS or a dedicated authentication app when logging in.
  4. Run a scan with Malwarebytes: Scammers often use malware to gain access to personal information. It is recommended to run a scan with Malwarebytes Free or any reputable antivirus software to detect and remove any potential threats.
  5. Report the scam: Report the scam to the relevant authorities, such as your local law enforcement agency and the social media platform where you encountered the scam. This helps raise awareness and potentially prevent others from falling victim.

Technical Details of the Scam

The ‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam utilizes various techniques to deceive users and appear legitimate. Some of the technical details of the scam include:

  • URL manipulation: The scammers often use URL manipulation to make the fake website appear similar to the official Tesco website. They may use a domain name that closely resembles the legitimate domain or create subdomains to further deceive users.
  • Social engineering: The scam relies heavily on social engineering tactics to manipulate users into providing their personal information willingly. The promise of a monetary reward and the use of familiar branding like Tesco make users more likely to fall for the scam.
  • Phishing attacks: By tricking users into entering their personal information on the fake website, the scammers effectively execute a phishing attack. This information can then be used for various malicious purposes, as mentioned earlier.

Statistics on Facebook Scams

Facebook scams, including the ‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam, have become alarmingly common in recent years. Here are some statistics that highlight the prevalence of scams on the platform:

  • According to a report by the Better Business Bureau, Facebook scams accounted for over $117 million in reported losses in 2020.
  • In a survey conducted by the Anti-Phishing Working Group, it was found that Facebook was the most commonly impersonated brand in phishing attacks, with 35% of all phishing attacks targeting the platform.
  • According to Facebook’s own statistics, they disabled over 1.3 billion fake accounts between October and December 2020, highlighting the scale of fraudulent activity on the platform.

Summary

The ‘Tesco Anniversary’ £50 Coupon Facebook Giveaway Scam is a deceptive scheme that preys on unsuspecting Facebook users. By promising a monetary reward and mimicking the official Tesco website, scammers trick users into providing their personal information, which can be used for malicious purposes. If you have fallen victim to this scam or any similar scam, it is crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself. Change your passwords, monitor your accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and run a scan with Malwarebytes to detect and remove any potential threats. Additionally, report the scam to the relevant authorities to help raise awareness and prevent others from falling victim. Stay vigilant and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

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    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

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    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

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