The Department of Health and the Department of Social Protection have both issued warnings about a dangerous scam that has already targeted thousands of people.
In a statement, the government said: "Please be alert to scam calls and messages claiming to be from the Department of Health, which may be seeking personal information.
"The Department will not contact you in this way. Do not share any personal info. Let vulnerable friends or family know this."
In recent weeks, Gardai and the Department of Social Protection have issued various warnings about this phishing scam but it appears that the fraudsters are now impersonating even more departments and officials.
"Please be alert to scam calls and texts claiming to be from the Department and seeking your personal info. If you receive such a call or text, please do not engage with them and don't share any of your personal information," said a statement from the Department of Social Protection.
Yesterday afternoon, Gardai issued another warning to the public about the dangers of this phishing phone call scam that's becoming increasingly popular.
During this sophisticated scam, fraudsters that are purporting to be from the Revenue and Department of Social Protection make bogus calls and tell people that their PPS number or bank account details have been compromised.
Other people are led to believe that that a warrant has been issued for their arrest and they're then advised that their accounts are compromised or implicated in some way with a crime. In order to make their money safe, it will need to be moved to a different account.
While the methods used can vary, the Gardai's statement was very clear on the matter when they said: "In all cases, what the fraudster wants is a victim’s personal data and control of their bank account in order to steal money from them."
In recent weeks, both the Department of Social Protection and the Gardai have issued previous warnings about this crime but the most recent statement shows that this crime is continuing to happen.
In a statement, the Gardai said : "There has been a substantial increase in people receiving phishing phone calls from persons purporting to be from the Revenue and Dept Social Protection. The person receives a phone call initially or a voicemail from an 083 number. The voicemail is usually an automated voice advising them to press
"Once this is selected, you are put through to a person who advises that their PPS number or bank account has been used in some serious crime, money laundering or drug trafficking."
Victims are also being duped into believing that the authorities are also searching for them in relation to a crime and that their money is in danger. Fraudsters have even persuaded some people to download nefarious apps to their computer.
The statement adds: "Some people are led to believe that there is warrant for their arrest in existence and are then advised that their accounts are compromised in some way or implicated in a crime and in order to make their money safe, it will need to be moved to a different account.
"In a number of recent cases, the victims of these types of crimes were persuaded to download apps and allow remote access to their laptops thus allowing fraudsters to have access to their personal data and online banking. They then move money into different accounts.
"In all cases what the fraudster wants is a victim’s personal data and control of their bank account in order to steal money from them.
