A MAJOR bank is warning customers about spotting fake supermarket vouchers.
It’s saying anything which claims a deal for “today only” could be from a scammer.
Make sure to double check your supermarket voucher before you scan it at a till
Lloyds Banking Group is telling customers to look out for dodgy supermarket vouchers which are becoming more frequent, says The Express.
These offers may claim to be from popular UK supermarkets, meant to target more shoppers.
But don’t be fooled – the clue is in the expiration date.
If it’s for “today only”, it could be a scam. You can look online or call up the supermarket it claims to be from to make sure it’s a valid voucher.
Fake vouchers often pop up on social media too, so keep an eye out and avoid clicking on any links.
If you’re being asked to provide personal information, it might not be legitimate.
Real vouchers either arrive via government funds, like the Household Support Fund, or as rewards when you’re signed up to Tesco Clubcard or similar supermarket discount schemes.
For either situation, you shouldn’t need to give away any extra information.
You can often check whether a website’s safe by looking at the search bar – if there’s a lock at the top left corner, it’s secure.
If you do think you need to part with sensitive information, always make sure you can see a padlock before doing so.
As a general rule, though, you should always avoid emails or texts offering free things in exchange for personal details.
Trustworthy vouchers on offer
There are plenty of vouchers out there you CAN trust.
Here are a few to get the ball rolling:
Hundreds of households can get £80 free supermarket vouchers to spend on food and essentials.
This is part of the Household Support Fund, where authorities get a portion of the £1.5billion pot of cash, and help you can get will vary depending on where you live.
Residents living in Essex County Council’s catchment area can get £80 to put towards food and essentials.
To be eligible, you must have reached state pension age – 66 years old – by September 30, 2022 and claim a means-tested benefit.
You will either get the £80 help as a one-off payment, or as a food voucher.
You can check in with your council to see what’s on offer for you using this locator tool if you’re not sure which one you belong to.
For more examples, Torbay Council is giving eligible cash-strapped residents a maximum of £50 towards food, and where necessary, another £50 towards energy bills.
In Coventry, households can claim a one-off supermarket voucher worth £36.
Meanwhile, in Kensington and Chelsea residents can grab up to £150 to help cover household bills, food and clothing.
If you’re stressed about the cost of living crisis, here are some contacts that could lend a helping hand for the time being:
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- Step Change – 0800 138 1111
- Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060
