GARDAÍ have urged the public to be extra vigilant of smishing (text message) fraud this festive season.
This comes after numerous banks and financial institutions have reported that they are experiencing very high levels of smishing.
Rather than placing links within the fraudulent text, fraudsters are issuing phone numbers for customers to ring in order to resolve an alleged issue with the customer’s account.
When customers then ring the number, automated music and voice messages mimic the bank in question making the experience very convincing.
When an agent answers the phone, they scam customers into divulging their banking and security credentials.
An Garda Síochána is advising customers to be extra vigilant.
A garda spokesperson said: “If you have responded to a text message that you believe is fraudulent, contact your bank as soon as possible.
“There are numerous smishing scams in operation purporting to be from banks, delivery companies and couriers, utility providers and government agencies.
“An Garda Síochána is reminding the public to always be wary of texts from unknown senders, and unusual requests that can even appear in the thread of previous genuine texts.
“Report any suspected incidents of fraud directly to An Garda Síochána.”
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