The Government has issued an important warning to everyone on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment over "scam text messages".
The Department for Social Protection said they had received information in recent days that recipients had received text message on their phone from unknown numbers.
These scammers claim to be from revenue and share a web link that the recipient can click to claim a payment of €350.
Officials warned that the public should "keep their bank and other financial account information safe", and they are advised not to click the link.
The Department added that it will never ask for bank account information or other financial details through text or social media.
Minister Heather Humphreys issued a warning against the "sophisticated scams".
She said: “ These are sophisticated scams. I urge customers of my Department to be cautious and to ensure that they only use official Departmental websites at all times.
“Anyone who thinks they provided personal information in response to these fraudulent text messages should contact their bank immediately.”
It comes as it emerged that there had been a slight increase in the numbers receiving the PUP this week, with a rise of 3%.
All Covid-19 PUP payments will be issued to bank accounts or at their post office on Tuesday.
The sector with the most PUP recipients is the Accommodation and Food Service activities industry, followed by wholesale and retail trade and construction.
Dublin is the county with the highest number of people who are receiving PUP this week at 147,191.
This is followed by Cork with 48,731, and then Galway and Kildare with 25,130 and 21,063 respectively.
