Gardai have issued a renewed warning after a spate of automated scam calls from fraudsters claiming to be from either the Government or State Agencies.
In recent days, the gardai have received reports of numbers with the prefix 085/087 claiming to be from the Department of Social Protection.
The call informs the innocent party that their PPS number has been compromised and ask them to press 1 to speak to an investigator or official.
You will then be asked to proved sensitive personal information. The gardai have issued the following advice for anyone who has received a scam call.
The advice is as follows:
• Do not engage with the caller.
• Do not follow the automated instructions – Do not press 1 etc.
• Never disclose personal or financial information.
• Hang up and end the call.
• Do not return the call.
The gardai are urging the public to spread the word as the public continue to fall victim to scam calls on a daily basis.
If you believe you've fallen victim to this scam or others, you are encouraged to report it to your nearest garda station.
Remember, no Government office will ever ask you to divulge personal information, like your PPS number, over the phone.
