As technology and the internet continues to advance with single click purchasing and banking at our fingertips, so too does the wit and cunning of online scammers.
Marking Safer Internet Day on February 7, here are some of the top online mobile and internet scams that are still catching people out in Ireland and how to avoid them.
Invoice Redirect Fraud:
This involves cyber criminals contacting businesses by phone or email, posing as a potential supplier of services already rendered.
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This scam operates when the fake supplier has the business change the bank details of the actual supplier to theirs, leading to the next invoice ending up in the wrong account.
Avoid this by making staff aware of the scam, always make direct contact and ensure you never directly contact the email used by the fraudsters.
Email Fraud/Phishing:
This extremely common type of fraud is when cyber criminals make contact by email, with a link contained in it.
This link usually contains bad software that can track your online activity, leading them to any financial information you have.
Avoid this type of fraud by not opening unwanted emails. Do not reply to them and never click on the link. If it sounds to good to be true, then it probably is.
Phone Fraud/Vishing/Smishing
This involves criminals contacting you by phone or text, in an attempt to appear as your bank, utility provider or another company.
They usually attempt to make individuals pay a bill or money for a prize.
Avoid this by saying NO when they call, independently verify their requests for payments, and don't trust info they have on you which they may have obtained illegally.
Advance Fee Fraud
This involves criminals asking for an advanced fee up front for goods, services or promises of a big financial benefit which will be rendered to you after sending a deposit.
An Garda Síochána said that this comes in the form of: rental fraud, romance fraud, inheritance fraud, lottery fraud, ticket fraud, car insurance fraud or investment fraud.
Avoid this by being aware of unsolicited offers, independently verify the offer, never give financial or personal info and be wary if asked to transfer money through PO boxes.
Social Media Frauds
Free trial products - This involve free trials for products with card details asked for upfront.
SOS or HELP Messages - This involves people in their friends or contact lists asking for money to be sent to a foreign country to help them. Popular ones say that the person has been arrested or has fallen ill.
Fake friend requests - This involves accepting a request from a fake person that can then hack you and your friends accounts.
Online shopping fraud - In these criminals set up fake online shopping accounts to get to your card details. These often look genuine.
Revolut/Delivery fee/customs fraud - scammers here will text you saying a parcel is on the way, providing a link. Do not click this.
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