GARDAÍ and the Department of Social Protection are advising the public to be aware of fraudulent phone calls and texts requesting their personal data. Gardaí say they are aware of a recent scam where members of the public have been receiving phone calls and texts from persons fraudulently advising they are a named official of the Department of Social Protection and being advised their PPS number has been compromised.
The person receiving the call is then requested to verify their name, PPS number, and, in some cases, bank account details. This personal data will then be used by the persons calling for fraudulent purposes.
Gardaí would like to advise members of the public to be wary of such calls and;
• Do not engage with the caller or return the call
• Never share personal information data with such callers or with people who make contact by text
• A member of An Garda Siochana or a Department of Social Protection employee would never request bank account details or personal data in a cold call or text.
• A member of An Garda Siochana or a Department of Social Protection employee would never advise a member of the public to move money from their account or to purchase cryptocurrency or move their money anywhere to keep it safe
If a member of the public believes they have received such a phone call or text, they are advised to contact their bank and the Department’s helpline number 1890 800 024 (between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday).
They are also advised to take a note of the number and report the matter to their local Garda Station.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.