People falling for scams ‘on daily basis’, warns Clare garda

PEOPLE of all ages and all walks of life are falling victim to fraud on a daily basis, Clare gardaí have warned.

Victims of suspected scams are being urged to contact their local garda station, with assurances that they will be treated with total confidentiality.

This comes as reports of yet more frauds operating in the county have come to light.

Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks outlines a number of incidences during which members of the public were targeted by fraudsters and money was taken from bank accounts.

“Unfortunately, again this week a number of people have been the victim of scams One lady got a text from internet banking saying that there had been unusual activity on her account. She followed a link and then realised that two fraudulent transactions on her account.

“Two more people got a phone call from a male purporting to be from Amazon saying that their accounts had been compromised and that they needed their bank account details which they gave as the male said he needed to reimburse them – four amounts of monies were then taken from their accounts.

“Another lady applied for a loan from an Online Cash Finance Company – she was contacted the following day by a male and gave her account details to him and then monies were taken from her account.”

Sergeant Brooks insists, “We need everyone to spread the word, people of all ages and all walks of life are falling victim to fraud on a daily basis.

“Anyone who rings, texts or emails you out of the blue and requests personal information such as bank details, they are not to be trusted.

“Do not click into any links they send you or call the number they contact you from or that is stated in their email.  Never apply for a loan from an entity that is not authorised by the Central Bank.”

She concludes, “If you think you have been scammed stop communication immediately, contact your bank if you have sent money and don’t be afraid to report it to the gardaí – you will be treated with total confidentiality.”