OTHER SCAMS & WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE DUPED

÷ TV LICENCE & TAX REFUND SCAMS Scammers have sent emails to residents in Northern Ireland and the UK in recent months claiming the TV licence authority there has been trying to get hold of individuals to arrange a refund of an overpayment — but due to invalid bank account details, the refund has not been paid. The fraudster requests bank account and personal details so the refund can be paid — but this is simply a ploy to drain money from an individual’s account. UK scams usually make their way to Ireland so watch out for this one. A common version of this scam in Ireland is where fraudulent emails or text messages are sent which purport to come from the Revenue Commissioners — and which request personal and financial information so a tax ‘refund’ can be paid to the individual. ÷ BANK HACKING SCAM With this scam, you receive a phone call from an individual who claims to be from your bank — or another reputable organisation. During the call, the fraudster will try to trick you into giving personal, banking or security information. They may also convince you to make a money transfer to them or inform you that you have won a prize and need to send money to release it. You may be told there is a problem with your bank account and tricked into believing you must move your money into a ‘safe account’. The safe account however is the fraudster’s account and you’ll lose money if you transfer any into it. ÷ RENTAL SCAM One of the most common rental scams is where the scammer copies genuinely advertised rental accommodation — and then re-advertises that accommodation with their own email or phone number. They will often refuse to show you the property — or will say they’re out of the country and so unable to show it to you. Instead, they send you photos and fake documents or keys in exchange for payment of rent and deposit. You usually don’t realise you’ve been scammed until you arrive at the property to find someone else living there. Another version of this is where the scammer rents a home for a short while. They then advertise it as being available for rent and show potential tenants around while they live there. They agree to rent the house to you, look to collect the deposit along with the first month’s rent — and then disappear with your money. ÷ CHEAP IPADS A number of Irish holidaymakers to the Canary Islands have been conned out of thousands after buying ‘cheap’ tablets for around €30. The holidaymaker is typically asked for their bank card details to either buy the tablet or so additional services (such as broadband and software) can be bought to ensure it works correctly. However, some holidaymakers have found thousands have been taken from their accounts after handing over card details. ÷ WHAT TO DO IF YOU’VE BEEN SCAMMED Contact your bank immediately. The bank may for example be able to stop a money transfer to a fraudster if it gets to it on time. It may also need to cancel your bank card. Report the fraud to your local Garda station too. “Sometimes if you’re not successful getting a refund of money lost from your bank, you may be able to get a refund from the Garda,“said Niamh Davenport, of BPFI.