Leitrim Joint Policing Committee hears of latest online and phone scams

Gardaí are urging people to be very careful about any suspicious messages or emails they may receive as a number of new phone message and email scams are currently circulating.

At this week's meeting of the Leitrim Joint Policing Committee (JPC) gardaí highlighted a new WhatsApp scam.

In it victims receive an WhatsApp message from someone in their contact list with a supposed, six digit security code in it. A short time later another message is received from the same contact outlining that this code was forwarded in error and requesting that the recipient forward it back to the sender. Other variations contain an active link in them as well.

Forwarding it back to the sender or clicking on the active link, allows the scammer to gain access to the victim's phone.

Gardaí are advising if you ever receive such a code claiming to be sent in error, do not click on this message and do not respond to it.

If you are concerned that you may have granted access to scammers, immediately contact gardai.

Children needing money scam

Another scam also circulating is one in which members of the public receive a message claiming to be from their child or a grandchild, stating that they are in difficulty and need money to be sent on as soon as possible.

If you receive such a message, always follow it up with a phone call to the supposed recipient. This scam is particularly insidious as it relies on parental concern for the welfare of a child and this message is often sent through at night. Never send money through such links and if you have done so, please contact gardaí and your bank immediately.

Bank phishing scams

If you have received a ‘phishing’ email, supposedly from your bank, gardai are also advising similar caution.

These are long running scams and they usually take the format of an email or text message claiming to be from your bank, telling you that your bank card is temporarily locked or they have suspicious activity on your accounts which they need to verify.

The public is reminded that no bank will ever email a customer to ask for bank card details or to see a PIN or other banking access details. Banks will also never ask for private details from any customer via email or message. If you have received such an email, immediately delete it and report any new scams to gardaí so that they can highlight it and make sure members of the public are aware.

If you have clicked similar emails or messages please immediately contact your bank and gardai.