How to avoid being scammed

A scam is an illegal or dishonest scheme that aims to steal from or defraud people. They target people of all ages and backgrounds via various methods.

They aim to trick you into giving away your money, personal or financial details and are becoming more sophisticated.

You can stay aware of scams using government agency warnings, such as those on the Garda website and the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

Be careful of a current scam (called ‘quishing’) involving fake QR codes attached to parking meters. Once you scan the code, you are directed to a website which requests credit card information and other personal data.

The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) has these tips:

• Avoid using QR codes for payments.
• Never apps directly from QR codes
• Always check where a QR code leads to before scanning.
• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your s for extra security.
• Only scan QR code from sources you trust and recognise.
• Keep computer and phone software updated regularly to protect against security threats.

A scam alert has been issued to warn people of text messages that tell you to click on a link to claim an energy credit. These link to a site that looks like gov.ie. The Government is not offering any such scheme and people are warned not to click on the link or enter any personal details. If you are eligible for the credits, they will be applied automatically to your bill. You do not need to take any action.

How do I avoid scams if shopping online?

Use https://check.cyberskills.ie/ to the authenticity and safety of online shopping websites. It is managed by Cyber Skills, in partnership with ScamAdviser and An Garda Síochána. You can check the website you are using is genuine and free from harmful software by providing the website URL (link).

What are the common types of scams?

They come through different channels, such as email, texts, letters, websites and phone calls. Here are some common scam types:

• Accommodation scams: Fake sites ask for a deposit for non-existent housing.
• Antivirus software scams: Scammers claim your computer has a virus, install software and demand payment.
• Charity scams: Fake charities or impersonating real ones to ask for donations.
• Classified scams: Scammers pose as legitimate sellers on classified websites for fake goods or services.
• Copycat websites: Unofficial sites mimic government departments or services for a high fee.
• Door-to-door scams: A door-to-door seller asks for cash upfront for a service that is never provided.
• Fake ticket scams: Fraudulent tickets or non-existent events.
• Free trial scams: Deceptive ads that lead to costly hip or subscriptions.
• Holiday rental scams: Fake sites offering non-existent holidays or villas.
• Investment scams: Deceptive financial opportunities promising high returns.
• Loan and credit scams: Upfront fees for guaranteed loans.
• Malware or ransomware: Scammers install software to access files or demand payment.
• Mobile phone scams: -rate calls for missed call scams.
• Phishing emails: Bogus emails trick you into sharing personal and financial information.
• Prize and lottery scams: Fees required to claim fake prizes.
• Quishing: is where fake QR codes are used to trick you to scan a code taking you to a fraudulent website to ask for personal information or installing malware on your device.
• Romance and relationship scams: Fraudsters on dating platforms asking for money, gifts or your personal details.
• Sextortion: Threats based on false claims of recorded compromising videos.
• Smishing attacks: Text message scams tricking you into opening malicious links.
• Social media scams: Scams via social media, including quizzes and false endorsements.

What are the signs it may be a scam?

Some scams are difficult to recognise.

Be cautious of: Unsolicited s from a person or company; Deals that seem too good to be true; Requests for personal details; Pressure to respond or transfer money quickly; Unusual payment methods; Vague details; Misspellings or grammatical mistakes; Requests to keep the offer quiet.

How do I protect myself from being scammed?

Use CheckMyLink to the authenticity and safety of online shopping websites. It is managed by Cyber Skills, in partnership with ScamAdviser and An Garda Síochána. You can check the website you are using is genuine and free from harmful software by providing the website URL (link).

Other ways to protect yourself are to know who you are dealing with by researching the legitimacy of the company ing you. You should check and conditions for clarity and details, avoiding websites with only a form.

You should also look for diverse online reviews from reputable sources like Trustpilot.

Trust your instinct and question anything that feels off. Be careful of offers that seem too good to be true - they usually are!

Avoid clicking or ing untrusted content and never allow remote access to your personal computer.

You should also check website security by looking for the closed padlock symbol and ‘https://’ in the address bar.

How do I protect personal information?

Your personal information is valuable to criminals and can be misused or sold on.

• Only give personal information in calls you initiated.
• charity legitimacy by calling their official number.
• Be careful of s requesting sensitive information.
• Think twice about sharing personal information in an email or if chatting online.
• Think carefully about the personal information you post online.
• If you get a request for personal details, do not respond straight away.
• Never enter personal information on a public computer

How do I protect my money?

Never send money by bank transfer unless certain you are sending to a trusted person.

Always use secure payment methods such as a credit card, debit card or PayPal (that offer a payment protection scheme)

Limit online storage of payment information or use a secure digital wallet.

Keep banking apps updated and report suspicious transactions quickly.

Regularly check and transactions on your bank statements.

What should I do if I’ve been scammed?

Take the following steps immediately: Stop all with the scammer; Do not make further payments; Tell your bank or card provider immediately if you paid by credit card or debit card; Report the incident to your local Garda station as a criminal matter; Collect records (emails or other communications) related to the scam; Secure your devices by resetting s and updating anti-virus software; and report the incident to consumer protection agencies for advice and to prevent other people scammed.

If you notice an unauthorised transaction on your , your bank immediately. In most cases, it must refund you for unauthorised payments. If it was a debit card, credit card or PayPal payment, request a transaction reversal through ‘chargeback’ from your bank or credit card provider.