Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer is warning people not to be duped by account takeover fraud.
It follows a report in the past week from a resident in this county, who clicked on a link entitled ‘My Tax Back’, resulting in them receiving an email directing them to enter their bank details.
A quantity of money was subsequently taken from their account.
Sergeant Catriona Holohan, who’s based at the Crime Prevention Office at Ennis Garda Station said this is known as Account Takeover Fraud and she’s advising people not to assume an email, text message or phone call is genuine.
“Don’t assume anyone who has sent you an email, text message or has called your phone is who they say they are.
“Never, EVER, give banking details or personal details to someone you don’t know or trust. Genuine organisations like banks and the Revenue Commissioners will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, password or bank details.
“Always log onto a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email.
“Monitor your bank account regularly.
“Don’t return calls to international numbers that you don’t recognise.
“If you receive a notification of a change of bank account details from a supplier always verify this change directly using an established contact.
“Don’t be embarrassed if you have been scammed. Report it to your local Garda Station,” Sergeant Holohan concluded.
