Gardaí alert over telephone scam

A GARDA alert has gone out following reports of attempts by telephone callers to get credit card information.
This has happened most recently in the Mount Ivers area of Sixmilebridge and in the Ogonnelloe area, where people were duped into handing over small amounts of cash to fix alleged problems with their computers.

A garda said a number of people have been receiving phone calls from a male caller, whose accent is described as ‘foreign’, informing them that a problem exists with their computer.

“In some cases, the caller has said he is from Microsoft, and in other cases, he has indicated that the proper registration certificates have not been completed for their Windows programme. In each case, a request is made for a fee to fix the alleged problem. This is just a scam to obtain the details of your credit cards. If details are given the person will fraudulently obtain money from your bank account,” a Garda spokesman warned.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have been contacted in such circumstances to report it.

“People may be embarrassed but it is important to let us know if they have been contacted or if they have been the victims of this crime,” a Garda source said.

In some cases, people have been asked for credit card details, while in other cases, they have asked for money to be sent by post, or paid by laser.

Gardaí explained the nature of the computer issue is typically but not limited to the computer being locked and the owner must pay a certain amount to have the computer unlocked.