Woman paying by card at a supermarket self-checkout payment terminal in Spain.
Supermarket scam alert: Fraudsters emptying bank accounts across Spain!
Credit: Shutterstock, M-Production
Spain’s Guardia Civil has sounded the alarm on a cunning online scam that’s leaving shoppers out of pocket and scratching their heads.
The con, which has been making the rounds again, sees cyber crooks impersonate well-known supermarket chains, luring victims in with fake emails promising bogus prizes. Once hooked, the unsuspecting victims click on fraudulent links, only to have their bank accounts drained faster than a supermarket shelf before a storm.
Supermarket swindle making a comeback
Online scams have become a daily menace in Spain, and the authorities are on high alert. The Guardia Civil, alongside the Spanish National Police, has ramped up efforts to combat cybercrime, but with fraudsters getting sneakier by the day, staying ahead of the game isn’t easy.
And now, one of the most effective scams is back: the supermarket email con. The fraudsters are targeting shoppers by posing as trusted stores, using eerily convincing emails to trick them into handing over bank accounts!
How the Spanish supermarket scam works
Scammers send out professional-looking emails, complete with authentic logos and branding, claiming the recipient has won a prize or a supermarket giveaway. All the victim has to do is click a link and fill in their details – except that link leads straight into a cyber trap.
The con artists are so good at their game that even eagle-eyed shoppers have fallen for it. These emails can be difficult to spot at first glance.
Signs you’re being scammed
The Guardia Civil has issued a checklist to help people avoid falling into the supermarket scam trap:
- Dodgy spelling & grammar – Scam emails often contain small mistakes and Spanish that doesn’t read like a native speaker has written it. This is particularly hard to spot if Spanish is not your first language. Obviously, these are mistakes that real supermarket chains wouldn’t make.
- Fake email addresses – Always check the sender’s email. If it’s full of random letters and numbers or looks slightly ‘off,’ it’s likely a scam. Be very careful, as some of these scammers edit the sender title in the email to make it look like it’s coming from the supermarket’s web domain. Like, for example info@supermarket.es. Always click on the sender’s email address to see the real sender.
- Suspicious links – Hover over links before clicking. If they lead to a weird-looking website, don’t touch them!
The real cost of falling for the scam
If you click that dodgy link, you’re handing criminals the keys to your bank account. These scammers can drain your funds, steal your supermarket account details, and wreak financial havoc before you even realise what’s happened.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you think you’ve fallen victim to this supermarket scam, act fast:
- Report it immediately to the Guardia Civil or Policia Nacional.
- Call your bank and freeze your card to stop any further losses.
- Change your passwords for all online accounts, especially for banking and emails.
- Monitor your bank statements to spot any suspicious transactions.
How to stay safe
The best way to beat the scammers? Prevention is key!
- Never trust emails promising surprise supermarket prizes.
- Don’t click on suspicious links.
- Keep your antivirus software updated.
- Only enter personal details on secure, verified websites.
- Stay informed about the latest scams.
Cyber crooks are getting smarter, but with the right precautions, you can keep your cash safe and avoid being the next victim of the supermarket swindle.
Read more original news in English about living in Spain.
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