Tesco blocks 620,000 Clubcard accounts after scammers try to steal points
TESCO has blocked 620,000 Clubcard accounts after scammers tried to steal points.
The grocery giant has issued all affected customers with new cards and it asking them to reset their passwords.
Tesco believes that a database of stolen usernames and passwords from other platforms had been tried out on its site.
A small number of customers may have had points stolen - but Tesco said that these would be returned and new vouchers would be issued.
It said that no financial data has been accessed and it systems had not been hacked.
Customers can continue to use their existing cards while they wait for their new one to arrive and they won't lose any points.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We have strict security measures in place and our priority is protecting our customers.
"Our internal systems picked this up quickly and we immediately took steps to protect our customers and restrict access to their accounts.
"We have asked customers affected to reset their passwords and are contacting customers whose Clubcard vouchers may have been affected to let them know that we will replace these vouchers and issue new Clubcards, as a precaution."
The supermarket has emailed all the potentially affected customers.
It said: "We recently became aware of some fraudulent activity on your Clubcard account, which included an attempt to access your Clubcard vouchers.
"We picked this up quickly and, to be on the safe side, blocked your account immediately.
"This means that, when you next try to sign in, you'll be asked to reset your password.
"As an extra precaution, we will reissue you with a new Clubcard number".
Other customers wrote to the supermarket on Twitter to check the legitimacy of the emails.
One said: "Hi, I received an email today from Tesco Clubcard saying you have become aware of fraudulent activity on my account so you have blocked it. Is the email real or spam."
The loyalty scheme, which has 19million members, gives customers one point for every pound spent in store or one point for every £2 spent on fuel. Every 100 points are worth £1.
Vouchers come with an expiry date of two years.
Tesco sends out vouchers for each 150 points you've collected every three months.
These can then used as face value in Tesco or converted into three times their value using its rewards platform.
If customers are worried about fraud on their account they should contact Tesco customer service.
MOST READ IN MONEY
Last month, Tesco urged Clubcard holders to claim lost points, as £17million were left unclaimed.
In October, Tesco's new Clubcard Plus scheme launched and the supermarket claims it can save shoppers £400 a year.
While Nectar is trialling giving shoppers extra points if they spend at Costa, Nando's and Airbnb.