Gardai are warning the public not to fall for a bank card "smishing" scam.
Fraudsters are texting members of the public, pretending to be from Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and telling them their bank card has been compromised.
The person is asked to log onto a website in order to receive a new card.
They are then asked to insert their PIN and other personal data.
Afterwards, the scammer then directs them to send the "compromised" card to one of three Dublin addresses (listed below), none of which are linked to AIB.
The addresses are: Security Centre, 164 New Seskin Court Arena, Whitestown Way, Dublin 24, D24 A26, Security Centre, 31 Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6 D06 V4Y1 and Security Centre, 50 North Circular Road, Dublin 7, D07, V0FY.
The Garda National Economic National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) have issued the following advice to members of the public:
- Never click a link in an unsolicited text
- Never give away personal data like your PIN, card numbers and passwords
- A financial institution would never request a customer to return a card to the bank in such circumstances
The GNECB are working very closely with AIB and other financial institutions, to identify those behind this fraud and those who receive, or use the stolen data / cards.
An Garda Síochána are also urging people not to respond to such text messages, but instead to take a screenshot of the message, delete it and report to your local Garda station.
Superintendent Michael Cryan reiterated the importance of never giving out personal or sensitive details to unverified sources.
He said: "I would encourage members of the public never to give out personal or sensitive information online unless you are sure of the source.
"Financial institutions will never contact you in this way and a bank will never request you to return your card in this manner.
"I would encourage anyone who receives these text messages to take a screenshot of the text, delete the text and to report it to their bank and local Garda station."
