Mobile phone users across Donegal have been warned not to answer unusual numbers as they could be part of a scam to download people’s personal information.
The numbers have been tracked back to an operator in Nigeria.
Once a person answers the phone, their devices will be infiltrated and hackers can download information including credit card details.
An increasing number of people have been receiving the calls across Donegal in recent days.
People are being warned not to answer the phone if they are suspicious of the number or block the number altogether.
The numbers have no resemblance to any local number but appear to being re-routed to connect to Irish numbers at random.
Those who have been conned by the scam are encouraging others not to answer their phones at all if suspicious.
One woman said “If they are genuine then they will call back. But the wording thing is that these people have access to your personal details at the flick of a button.
“Please do not answer any strange number because the reality is that it is a scam and you will be caught.”