Gardaí Issue Warning And Advice On How To Deal With Suspicious Calls

This comes following a caller posing as An Post stealing money from a lady through a fraudulent call.

An Garda Síochána have issued a warning regarding fraudulent calls and scams after a caller posing as an An Post employee stole money from a lady through a fraudulent call.

The caller informed her that an attempt had been made to use her card fraudulently. He 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 to update her online security. 

She entered the password but a short time later she felt suspicious about the call. She contacted An Post directly by phone and while on the phone with them she could see that funds were being withdrawn from her online account without her permission.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 a reason to contact you about a delivery fee or a customs charge, they will direct you to visit their website to pay the same. They will not ask you to click on a link within a text message to pay a charge. 

Gardaí advise that you 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.

They also suggested not to send any 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 and 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,” Garda Rafferty added. “Always be on guard and advise elderly/vulnerable family members relating to scams when you become aware of them.”

(Source – Donegal Democrat / Donegal Live – Local News – Staff Reporter – 15/11/2023)