Scammers target vulnerable lockdown victims

With online shopping and parcel deliveries increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, An Garda Síochána has become aware of a number of scams currently in circulation.

Gardai in are warning the public to be aware of the potential risk to their personal and payment data through online scams.

With online shopping and parcel deliveries increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, An Garda Síochána has become aware of a number of scams currently in circulation.

Officers in the Bailieborough area have received a number of reports from the public regarding phone calls purporting to be from Amazon Prime. The contacting number begins each time with 00216 and the remaining 6 numbers differ from call to call.

Once answered an automated voice then invites the call recipient to cancel or amend their account by pressing 1. On pressing 1they talk to the fraudster who then tries their to gain access to personal information.

“It pays to be vigilant and never give out personal information or bank details over the phone. Please pass on this message to those who may be more vulnerable to scams of this nature.”

A separate scam warned about nationally is one where emails and texts are being circulated under the branding of various courier companies.

In these emails/texts it is requested that the recipient has to pay an additional cost for customs clearance prior to delivery of their parcel.

In some instances these emails/texts have been circulated in Irish.

Once again recipients are asked not to provide payment details, and to take a screenshot of the text/email, delete it, and anyone who believes they have been the victim of fraud is asked to report the matter to their local Garda station.

“These scams takes advantage of the confusion around Brexit and uses this uncertainty to defraud people,” say An Garda Siochana.