Gardaí warn of phone scams targeting seniors and internet users

Gardaí are urging the public not to give bank or credit‑card details over the phone after two recent scams left a woman in her seventies financially harmed and another narrowly avoided loss.

Sergeant Michelle O’Halloran of the Crime Prevention Office said the first victim received a call claiming her Visa card had been “hacked” and money withdrawn. She was told to download an app and transfer funds, complying until a further request for money raised her suspicion.

In a separate case in Caherconlish, a woman was contacted by someone purporting to represent her internet service provider. She supplied her Visa debit card number and security code, after which money was transferred from her account.

Sgt O’Halloran advised anyone receiving unexpected calls about alleged problems with a bank account, card or internet service to be wary. Fraudsters often create panic and pressure victims to act quickly. She stressed that banks never ask callers to transfer money to a “safe” account or to download an app on instruction.

Anyone who has disclosed details or transferred money should contact their bank immediately and report the incident to Gardaí.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels.