Donegal Gardaí have urged people to be on alert after a local woman was conned out of money in the latest ‘An Post’ scam.
She received a call from a man purporting to be from the company. The caller informed her that an attempt had been made to use her card fraudulently. He subsequently instructed her to log in to her account online, which she did, and he then provided her with a password to enter into her account with the aim of updating her online security.
She entered the password, however, a short time later she felt suspicious about the call. She contacted An Post directly by phone and while on the phone to them shecould see that funds were being withdrawn from her online account without her permission.
“We have had a number of reports from people who have fallen victim to the customs charge text message scam,” Garda Claire Rafferty said.
“This text message purports to be from ‘An Post’ and it contains a link in order for the recipient to pay a customs delivery fee. According to the An Post website, they will never ‘send messages that contain any links when contacting you about the payment of customs charges’.”
When An Post have reason to contact you about a delivery fee or a customs charge then they will direct you to visit their website to pay same. They will not ask you to click on a link within a text message to pay a charge.
Gda Rafferty said their advice remains the same:
- Do not provide your personal/banking details to anybody by phone, email or text
- message regardless of who they say they are or why they need it.
- Do not engage with unknown callers.
- Do not return a call to any phone number that you are not familiar with.
- Do not click on any links in emails or text messages.
- Do not send money.
- Do not download APPs / remote access software.
- Do not withdraw money and lodge it into cryptocurrency ATMs.
- Screenshot any suspicious emails, text messages or other communication.
- If concerned, please contact your local Garda station.
Scammers may change their stories or methods but their goal is always the same, they want to access your sensitive information and your money. Always be on guard and advise elderly/vulnerable family members in relation to scams when you become aware of them.
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