Gardaí in Donegal have issued a warning over a new scam which is preying on vulnerable people’s concerns over Covid-19.
The scam involves a misleading phone call in which a caller attempts to gain a person’s bank details in return for a pack of personal protection equipment.
Elderly people and those who are vulnerable or cocooning may be particularly susceptible to falling victim to this crime, gardaí warned.
Spokesperson Garda Niall Maguire said: “People get a call and it seems very official, the person advises a vulnerable person about precautionary measures they should be taking during the pandemic. They advise in relation to cocooning and give great information.
“Then, they say they want to send you a PPE kit of gloves, masks, etc.
“They ask for your name and address, they build up trust with you, and the final request is they ask for bank details because there is a small charge for the goods they send out.
“This is not going to be a small charge, they will take out what they can,” Gda Maguire said.
Anyone who receives a call such as this is being advised to hang up. Members of the public are told to report the scam only if they have lost money as a result of providing bank details.
