CLLR ÓISÍN O’CONNELL

A New Ross district Sinn Fein councillor is warning County Wexford residents to be wary of phone calls from scammers pretending to be from their bank or financial institution.

Cllr Óisín O’Connell said; “Phishing’ is a type of scam – sometimes by phone – whereby someone will contact you, and fish for information by pretending to be from a bank, telecom or other institution. They will try to fake you out, and use your sense of trust to give them valuable information they wouldn’t otherwise have. This is then used by them to make purchases or money transfers online or electronically in your name – to steal from you.”

He added; “In a particularly insidious twist they may even pretend they are from something like the fraud detection department of an institution – and threaten to cancel your cards if you don’t comply. That recently happened to one of my own parents, who ended the call and contacted the local bank.”

WexfordToday.com has learned from a banking source that the public should never respond to these emails and texts, but immediately contact your local banking or financial institution if you have any concerns.