Sainsbury's Implements New Security for Nectar Card Holders
Sainsbury's has been compelled to significantly enhance security measures for its Nectar loyalty scheme, a move that affects all cardholders. This decisive action comes in direct response to a growing number of customer complaints regarding stolen points, particularly as the festive shopping season approaches.
The supermarket giant has launched a crucial new safety feature that allows customers to actively lock their Nectar points, preventing them from being spent by anyone else. This gives users direct control over their accumulated rewards.
New QR Code System and Expert Warnings
In addition to the lock feature, Sainsbury's has rolled out a significant change to how points are collected and spent in-store. From last week, shoppers must now use a QR code generated within the Nectar app at the checkout to either earn or redeem their points. The retailer stated that these changes are designed to help "maintain the security of your Nectar points".
However, cybersecurity experts have issued warnings. Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, highlighted that the festive period is a prime time for criminals to target accounts laden with a year's worth of points. He advised customers to monitor their account activity frequently until a stronger two-factor authentication process is implemented.
Moore emphasised that "As Nectar cards are connected to finances they should ideally come with the appropriate security and protection similar to debit and credit cards."
Real-Life Impact and Continued Risks
The need for these measures was starkly illustrated by one shopper's experience shared on social media. They reported receiving an email from Nectar thanking them for spending 24,000 points at Argos, despite not having made any purchase themselves.
While the new QR codes add a layer of security, Laura Suter, director of personal finance at AJ Bell, cautioned that they "won't stop scams entirely". She pointed out that criminals are constantly devising new methods, especially before Christmas when loyalty points can represent a significant value.
Echoing the seriousness of the situation, Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury's, told The Sun that crime in an online environment is a "big new challenge", confirming that the company is working intensively to address it. A Nectar spokesperson reaffirmed that "Security is extremely important to us" and that they have a range of measures to safeguard customer accounts.
