The Department of Social Welfare is urging people to be aware about a "very sophisticated" text and phone scam currently doing the rounds,.
Minister Heather Humphreys said the sole purpose of the scam was to steal people's PPS numbers and bank details.
In a video posted on Twitter Ms Humphrey's gave details of the scam and urged people not to ever give out personal information over the phone.
She said: "Some of these calls an messages are from people claiming to be social welfare officials and they are not.
"In one such scam the phone call begins with an automated messaged claiming that your PPS number has been used as part of suspected fraud such as money laundering or drug trafficking.
"The message then asks you to press '1' to speak to an investigator. These calls and text messages are fraudulent.
"Do not engage or share personal information. I want to make it perfectly clear that the Department of Social Welfare will never call you to ask you for your PPS number or bank details.
"We need everyone to spread the word because people of all ages and all walks of life are getting these calls on a daily basis.
"Anyone who calls, texts or emails you out of the blue requesting personal information such as your PPS number or your bank details is trying to con you."
It comes as Gardai and the Department of Social Protection issued another warning at the end of April to the public over a complex phishing scam where fraudsters pretend to be from the Revenue.
Gardai have said that there has been a "continual increase" of cases involving an elaborate phishing scam that has proven to be popular among thieves.
Criminals are making bogus phone calls and sending scam text messages to individuals whereby they're pretending to be a member of An Garda Síochána or the Department of Social Protection.
The increased popularity and prevalence of this scam has prompted the Department of Social Welfare to issue a warning which said: "Customers and members of the public are reminded about scam phone calls and scam text messages they may receive from individuals purporting to be an official of the Department.
"These calls and texts display a range of numbers. Any person who receives such a call or text is asked to report it to the Gardaí immediately."
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