A type of devious scam involving fraudsters pretending to be from the HSE to steal money from unsuspecting victims has been doing the rounds again.
Scammers will send texts claiming the person has been a close contact of someone who tested positive for Covid-19. A link in the text directs victims to a website where they are asked to enter their bank details to buy "mandatory" antigen tests.
The scammers then contact the person while purporting to be and alert them to fraudulent activity and look for further details or the use of a card reader to gain access to their bank account. Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid West, Emer Higgins said: "These criminals have become so sophisticated that they can make the incoming number appear to be that of your bank, but it is so important that if you are in any way suspicious of a call you should hang up and contact your bank yourself to report any potentially fraudulent behaviour
Read more: HSE issue warning over Covid close contact text scams
"There are currently no restrictions on anyone who is a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case and the HSE will never contact you via text to ask you for your bank details or to make you pay for antigen tests.
"Over the last few weeks, I have been made aware of a number of people who have received this fraudulent text and some have unfortunately fallen for it and given away personal information and bank details. The latest CSO figures show that instances of fraud are increasing, with the number of offences rising by 8% last year.
"Gardai continue to investigate issues of online and digital fraud and organisations like the HSE, An Post and many delivery companies, are engaged in weeding out and reporting scams, but fraudsters can adapt so quickly that it’s almost impossible to stay on top of each new scam. The more people are aware of this particular scam, the less likely they are to fall victim to it. It’s vital to be vigilant and to inform any vulnerable people in our lives who may be easier targets. No one wants to start out 2023 as the victim of a messaging scam."
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