I’d never give my personal details away in some random email. I’m far too vigilant to get caught out.”

When a dodgy-looking email pops into the inbox, many of us are very aware that scammers are in action. The danger for consumers, however, is that the scammers are getting smarter as they have more money to invest in creating realistic-looking messages. So while most people are no longer being caught out by fake-looking messages, they are being caught out by ones that look very genuine.

This was certainly the case for over 300 consumers who experienced online theft in the last year.

Hard to Track Down

Matt Sheridan, detective sergeant in the Payment Card Unit of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation says: “While some people have lost €100, others have had as much as €40,000 disappear. These scammers are hard to track down as they are usually operating across Europe and beyond.”

Despite media campaigns warning consumers of the dangers of phishing (a type of online fraud), as well as notices on bank statements and websites, people are still getting caught. Until now, banks have been reimbursing consumers. However, Una Dillon, head of card services at IPSO (Irish Payment Services Organisation), says this may not happen indefinitely: “Some of Britain’s larger banks have stopped putting the money back into people’s accounts, arguing consumers have been warned. It is possible that Irish banks will follow suit in the future.”

And if they do, we have no consumer rights to protect us.

Áine Carroll, assistant director of public awareness and financial education with the National Consumer Agency (NCA) says: “Unfortunately, it’s like money being stolen out of your wallet, you wouldn’t expect anyone to reimburse it, so the onus is on consumers to protect themselves.” CL

Don’t get Caught Out

So what can you do to protect yourself? The National Consumer Agency and the gardaí give these top tips to stay safe.

1. Banks do not and will not send emails asking you to divulge your security passwords or codes –ever. Do not respond to these requests.

2. If you get an email from a suspicious source, don’t even open it – delete immediately. The Gardaí have reports of people replying and having a rant, telling the sender they know it’s a scam. However, in some circumstances this gives them the access they need to get the job done.

3. If you receive a call from someone asking for personal information, don’t give it, even if they claim to be calling from your bank. Tell the caller you will call them back. Official numbers are always available from bank letters.

4. Make sure you have different passwords for your online accounts. Also change your pin numbers and passwords frequently.

5. Check if the anti-virus software on your computer is up to date and ensure it does automatic updates. If anything happens, you can prove to the banks and the gardaí that you have done everything possible to prevent your account being accessed.

6. Check your bank and credit card account statements regularly for any transactions you don’t recognise.

7. If you have been scammed, act fast. Often the hackers get the job done quickly. Furthermore, when banks know the full situation, it is less likely to affect your credit rating.

If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam:

• Inform your bank.

• Contact the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigations on

01-6663777.

PROFILE

Dairy farmer David Thompson from Cappamore, Co Limerick, was recently a victim of phishing (a type of online fraud).

David explained: “I wanted to set up a standing order with a British company, but when I contacted Ulster Bank I was told this could only be done through internet banking. That day, there was a lot of communication between myself and the bank and I received an email asking me to contact a number in Belfast to verify some details.

“I didn’t think much about it, just presumed it was part of setting up online banking. The next day however, the bank rang saying they had received an instruction from me to wire €9,760 to a recipient in Britain – my signature was even forged. I immediately contacted the bank fraud squad and the Gardaí. However, as no money was taken, no one seemed that interested.

“The thing is though, my email was hacked and friends are receiving all kinds of messages from the account since, even though I have cancelled it. It is a complete invasion of privacy as many of us have personal information in our email account. I even wrote to the Taoiseach and the relevant Ministers to inform them of the situation so that my Single Farm Payment wouldn’t be transferred to an alternative account. Just because the money wasn’t transferred out of my account, doesn’t mean the situation shouldn’t be taken seriously

Detective Matt Sheridan says, in relation to this case: “This can be very frightening, especially if a farmer is using the email for business purposes. The hackers could potentially request payments to be made to a different bank account. The advice we have given David is to contact all business acquaintances informing them of the situation, and to instruct them that he will not be changing bank account details unless he personally instructs them to. It is also advised to set up a new email address.”