Limerick parents warned of WhatsApp scam
LIMERICK parents are being warned of a scam that is growing in popularity.
Sergeant Ber Leetch, Crime Prevention Officer at Henry Street Garda Station said two women she knew personally had been targeted.
"My friend who has three children was at home with them last week when she received a WhatsApp that read, 'Hi Mum, my phone is broken, this is my new number, will you save it and text me through WhatsApp when you see this please'.
"She said that as she was looking at her three children she knew it was a scam but she believes that any mother could be taken in by this message.
"My neighbour received a message that read 'Hi Mam and Dad I’ve changed my number, text me if you receive this, thank you'. She immediately rang her children and none of them had sent that text."
Sergeant Leetch said that if a parent engages, that is if they reply, the next message goes on to say that as the 'child’s' phone is broken they don’t have access to their bank account and need money.
"A bank account number is provided and I know that a number of parents have been scammed out of money in this way.
"These messages are 'hooks' which will work with some people and get them to engage with scammers.
"The way to prevent this scam is to ring your child’s phone to check that they are ok and then block the number."