Garda warning over latest text scam
Gardaí are warning the public to be aware of a current text message scam which purports to be from AIB Bank. This scam could reference any financial institution, a warning on the Garda Síochána Laois Offaly Facebook page has warned.
The SMS tells the person to call a number to regarding a transaction. This number will bring them an "AIB agent", who will talk a person through how to cancel the transaction. The fraudster will then extort credit and personal details from the victim.
The public is being urged not to respond to these texts or call this number. If you must call your bank make sure any number matches that which is on the back of your bank card.
Gardaí also warned that you should ever give away personal data such bank account details, PIN numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, one time codes, PPS numbers or Eircodes over the phone.
An Garda Síochána said people not to respond to such texts, to take screenshots of the texts received and delete them and to report it to the bank or relevant company.
They also appealed to any person who may have inadvertently or otherwise engaged with this scam, or any similar scam, and subsequently been a victim of this type of fraud to report it to their local Garda Station.
Further fraud prevention advice can be found here