Dublin Zoo issues urgent warning as scammers target Irish families with fake giveaways
The scams advertise supposed giveaways, including free zoo tickets and ‘back-to-school’ packs
Irish consumers are being warned to watch out for convincing online scams impersonating Dublin Zoo and offering free tickets and gifts.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has issued a warning after Dublin Zoo raised concerns about fraudulent social media posts and websites targeting unsuspecting consumers.
The scams use Dublin Zoo branding in images and videos to advertise supposed giveaways, including free zoo tickets and “back-to-school” packs.
In some cases, people are told the items themselves are free but are asked to pay a small postage fee of around €2 or €3.
However, the payment process is being used by scammers to obtain consumers' card details.
Dublin Zoo has stressed that it will never ask people to provide credit or debit card details, or bank information, in order to enter a competition or claim a giveaway prize.
The attraction is also warning visitors about a sophisticated clone website using the domain dublinzoo.net.
According to Dublin Zoo, the website is not connected to the attraction and contains a fake booking system designed to harvest people's payment card information.
The zoo's only official website is dublinzoo.ie, while genuine competitions and giveaways are promoted through its official website, newsletter and verified social media channels.
Dublin Zoo currently has no active competitions listed on its official website.
Aoibhín de Búrca, Director of Communications at the CCPC, said scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are taking advantage of familiar and trusted brands to target consumers.
She warned people to pause before making a payment and to avoid clicking directly on social media advertisements without first checking that the website or offer is genuine.
Consumers are also being reminded of the familiar rule that if an offer appears too good to be true, it probably is.
Anyone who has already entered their payment or card information through an unfamiliar Dublin Zoo link or competition has been urged to contact their bank or card provider immediately to have their card frozen or cancelled.
People should also report fraudulent advertisements, accounts or links to the social media platform on which they appeared.
The CCPC advises anyone who has handed over banking information as part of a social media scam to contact their bank or card issuer immediately, keep records and screenshots of the scam, and report the incident to their local Garda station.