DUBLIN: The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau warns people not to lose money by clicking on strange links they receive, purporting to be from banks, on phones and emails.
Cyber criminals have come up with a new “smishing” scam in which they pose as Permanent TSB officials. Fraudsters send test messages to customers claiming that their account has experienced “unusual activity” or a “suspicious log-in attempt.”
When the person clicks on the link, they will be taken to a cloned website where the fraudsters will attempt to get their pins, passcodes, and other personal information. The website seeks considerably more information than a bank would ever ask.
The scammers seek your personal information in order to steal money from your bank account.
The GNCB also warns that such fake messages can be received in the name of service providers, revenue, banks and/or delivery businesses.
In a statement, gardaí said: “GNECB would like to warn the public to be wary of such text messages and if in any doubt of the authenticity of the text, contact their bank on the numbers they usually use. Do not use a number supplied by these texts.”
An Garda Síochána advises the public in the wake of the latest scam
● Do not click on a link in an unsolicited SMS or email asking personal information
● Never respond to or call back to a fake caller seeking personal information
● Never share personal data such as PIN number, card numbers, passwords, one time codes, PPS numbers
An Garda Síochána says banks will never ask for personal information such as account numbers, passwords, pin codes and mother’s maiden’s name through such messages. It advises people to change their passwords/pin codes if they believe they have been a victim of such scam incidents. The Guards also advised people to contact their bank immediately and report the incident to the gardai if they had responded to such bogus texts or calls.
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