Beware of Scams

What is fraud?

Fraud is where a person is financially cheated by another person.

Fraud occurs when an individual deceives another by inducing them to do something or not do something that results in a financial loss. The fraud can be committed either online, in person on via correspondence.

Current Scams:

There are a number of scams using a variety of methods that the public should be aware of, most notably:

Texts purporting to be delivery companies, banks or electricity/gas suppliers
Texts which appear to come from a relation looking for help
Fake social media competitions
Fake job offers

Crime Prevention Advice:

Regardless of what the premise of the scam is the advice remains the same:

Be very wary of unsolicited texts / calls received
Do not open attachments to emails which are unsolicited or from persons you don’t know
Do not click on links included in texts received
The caller number can be ‘spoofed’ to make it look like a legitimate number
Do not give away personal data including PPS, bank A.C numbers, PINs, passwords, OTCs, credit card details
Do not pay small charges of €1 etc with your credit / debit card – by doing so you are giving away you card details and allowing fraudsters to use it
Do now download any suggested Aps – These can be used to remotely take control of your device and move money from your accounts
Do not have the same passwords / PINs across different accounts etc
If you receive a text purporting to be from your child / relative just ring their normal number and see do they answer.
Do not transfer money unless absolutely sure you are transferring it to that person
If offered a ‘job’ on social media be alert to how you were contacted and no legitimate company would ever ask you to send them money or to use your bank account for the company’s benefit
If you have been a victim its vital to change your passwords / pin codes
If you have been a victim report the matter to your bank asking them to do a recall and report the matter to Gardaí

For more information on fraud see our section under Crime by clicking here.