Sophisticated scammers are using Government department numbers in attempt to swindle members of the public for their personal information.
A warning has been issued by the Department of Social Protection over the con which sees a range of numbers, including the Department's helpline, to try scam the public.
But the number is not currently being used during the COVID-19 pandemic to contact customer or members of the public.
They have warned that a staff member of the Department will never ask for your PPS number of bank details over this phone and are urging anyone who has been contacted to report it to gardai.
They said: "The Department of Social Protection wishes to alert people to scam phone calls they may receive claiming to be from an official of the Department of Social Protection and the call displays a range of numbers one of which is the Department's helpline number 1890 800 024.
"The Department is currently not engaged in contacting customers or members of the public through this number. Please do not engage with these calls or share any personal information with the callers.
"The Department of Social Protection’s staff will never ask you for your Personal Public Services number (PPSN) or Bank details if they should have reason to call you over the phone.
"If you have received such a call from this number please report it to the Gardaí immediately."
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