Gardaí in Donegal have issued a warning over con-artists taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to scam people out of money.
The latest scam sees people being targetted over the phone by callers claiming to from An Post. The caller claims to be contacting a person in relation to a social welfare payment.
They may request the person’s email address and then go on to request their banking details.
Gardaí have received specific reports in relation to this scam, but have warned that many more tactics are being used at this time.
Spokesperson Garda Grainne Doherty said: “There are all types of scams on the go at the minute but this one is worrying as the fear is that someone who maybe never claimed a social welfare payment before might receive a call such as this and presume that this is normal procedure in order for them to be paid their money such as the Covid-19 unemployment benefit for instance.”
Gardaí have advised people to “never provide any personal or banking details to anyone over the phone, by email or by text.”
“An Post, The Social Welfare Dept or any other state body will never request these types of details from you in this manner. Should you receive a call such as this, take note of the calling number, hang up and alert Gardaí.”
More information on Phishing, Social Engineering Scams and Fraudulent Selling/Trading during the coronavirus emergency is available on https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/press-releases/2020/march/coronavirus-scam-warning.html
