Fraud Alert! Beware of Scam Texts Posing as Gov.ie

There has been an increase in scam text messages claiming to be from Gov.ie. Please read the information below in order to know what to look out for and how to protect your personal information and bank account details.

How Does The Scam Work?

You may receive a text message stating that you are entitled a household benefit package or tax credit repayment. The message will ask you to click on a link to input your bank details in order to receive the benefit.

A fraudster then follows up with a phone call impersonating a bank representative informing you that you have just been scammed and that your bank now needs to take possession of your bank card. A courier then calls to your house to collect your bank card.

The scammers then have the personal information and account details that you have provided on the link in the initial text message as well as possession of your physical bank card, leaving you at significant risk.

While fraudsters in this current example are pretending to be from Gov.ie, please be aware that you could receive similar fraudulent texts and phone calls impersonating other state agencies or legitimate businesses. 

What should I do if I receive a suspicious text message?

• Do not reply to unsolicited text messages or provide personal information or financial information.
• Do not click links in text messages
• Never give away security details such as your PIN or online password to anyone.
• NEVER hand over your bank card to anyone.
• Block the sender of a suspicious email or text message and delete the message.
• If you are unsure of the legitimacy of any text message, ignore it and contact the company directly, using the contact details provided on their official website.

What can you do if you think you have been scammed?

Don't be afraid to ask for help if something goes wrong. If you think you have responded to a scam text message, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your debit/credit card, or the contact details provided on your bank website and report the incident to the Gardaí.