A WOMAN is warning residents of scams and bugs on their phone after scanning a QR on an Asda Rewards leaflet.  

Catherine Ivy, from Leckford, carried out her weekly food shop at the Asda in Andover along Mill Road, on Tuesday, September 6, where she picked up a leaflet about the supermarket's new loyalty programme, to help save some extra money during the current cost of living crisis. 

When Catherine got home she scanned the QR code, downloaded the Asda Rewards app to her phone, filled in all of her details to make an account, and added her debit card details to the wallet section of the app. 

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Straight after doing this she says a naked woman appeared at the bottom of her phone screen. Catherine panicked and just turned off her phone instantly. 

When she turned her phone back on she noticed she had received a message from her bank, Natwest, asking to confirm some payments that had been taken out of her bank account.

Catherine says she was cautious about the message. 

So, she decided to directly call her bank, which confirmed that Natwest were trying to contact her because three seperate payments from fake companies had been taken from her bank adding up to £48. 

She said: "The QR code seemed safe and so did the link it sent me too, but I don't understand what happened afterwards. I must have a bug on my phone, I won't be putting my card details on my phone until my daughter can take a look!

"I had a stroke earlier this year, but I would still say I am a fit 72-year-old, but when something like this happens it is enough to make someone have a stroke. I was lucky that I got in contact with my bank to sort it out quick enough, but someone else may not be as lucky!"

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Since this happened Catherine cancelled her debit card and Asda has been in contact with her to help get to the bottom of the problem.

She says she will be returning to Asda in Andover to ensure the rewards application is downloaded properly this time.

Asda has also sent Catherine a £20 voucher to buy herself some flowers for the distress. 

A spokesperson for Asda said: "We’ve spoken to Catherine to reassure her that the Asda Rewards QR code is legitimate and we advise customers to only download apps from verified and reputable sources and ensure their smartphone is always up to date with the latest anti-virus software to protect against scams.”