Heartless scammers scour bank details from people let go during COVID-19

Heartless thieves are trying to cash in on people who have been let go from their jobs due to the coronavirus.

The scammers are calling people pretending to be from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection double-checking their account numbers.

More than 58,000 people have applied for emergency payments because of the unemployment explosion due to the pandemic.

Thousands of people across Donegal have been let go from shops, bars, restaurants and other businesses as a result.

A spokesperson for the Department stressed that they will NEVER request financial details from people over the phone or on social media.

A spokesperson said “The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection wishes to make it absolutely clear that we NEVER request Bank account or other Financial institution account details from its customers by phone or on social media.

“Nor do we clarify or check this information over the phone.

“Bank account information is only accepted as part of a written application to the Department.

“We want ensure that our customers and the public are made aware of this activity and that they keep their bank and other financial account information safe.”