GARDAÍ have made a fresh appeal for people to be vigilant against scams after a local woman was almost duped into giving her bank details.
The woman received a phone call from a man who claimed he was calling on behalf of Eircom.
He provided her with a name and appeared to be very genuine.
The caller enquired about her broadband signal and as chance would have it the woman said she had a broadband package with Eircom.
The caller told the woman her broadband coverage was so poor in recent times that they were going to install new equipment at her home and that she was due a refund of €246 as compensation of sorts due to the poor signal she had been receiving.
He then asked for her bank details to process the refund, but it was at this point that alarm bells started to ring with the woman. She informed him that he should already have those details as she pays by direct debit. At this point the caller’s demeanour changed and he became irate and she hung up.
A garda spokesperson said: “The lady in question wanted us to make others aware of this scam as she feared that many might be caught out, particularly if they were Eircom customers. Eircom and other companies who regularly fall victim to these type of scam impersonations will never call and request personal or banking details over the phone.”
Gardaí also said they have received numerous reports in relation to a phone call that members of the public have been receiving from various mobile numbers.
When a person answers the call, they hear an automated message informing them that suspicious activity has been detected on their bank account.
“You will be asked to press a number to be connected to an investigating officer. Should you receive this type of call, please just hang up. If you have any concerns in relation to your bank account then please call to the bank in person or contact them via a verified number,” said a garda spokesperson.
The advice from gardaí is to never divulge personal or financial details to anyone via phone call, text message or e-mail.
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