A new scam has been circulating on TikTok, with posts claiming customers can claim a free £750 voucher by visiting a website called TesOffer.com. The posts, which allege to be from disgruntled former employees, have sparked concern, but it appears the offer is not genuine.
This scam is similar to others that have surfaced on social media platforms, where users are enticed by fake offers. In this case, the website prompts people to share personal or financial information in exchange for the promised voucher.
How to Spot Fake Offers
In 2022, similar scams were identified with several red flags to help users recognize fake promotions. Common signs include:
- Unverified Pages: Scammers often use unofficial Facebook pages like “Tesco fans,” which lack the verified blue tick badge. Tesco confirmed that their official page is facebook.com/Tesco, and any other page may be fraudulent.
- Poorly Written Posts: Many scam posts contain spelling or grammatical errors, a tell-tale sign of a fake offer.
- Suspicious Links: Scams often ask users to comment, share the post, and follow a link to a dubious website. If you’re being asked to share personal or financial details on a third-party website, it’s likely a scam.
Tesco’s Response
A Tesco spokesperson told Which?: “Tesco UK only has one Facebook page. Any other page is potentially a scam, and social media users should not click on them.” Tesco also confirmed they do not run free voucher promotions on Facebook and have reported the fake page offering free Tesco vouchers.
How to Report Social Media Scams
If you encounter posts like this, you can report them directly on Facebook by clicking on the top-right corner of the post and selecting ‘Report post.’
If you think you’ve fallen victim to the scam and shared personal or financial information, contact your bank immediately. It’s also advisable to report the scam to Action Fraud or to the police if you’re in Scotland.
For those who lose money to a scam and are not refunded by their bank, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for further assistance.
