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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Before you buy something from a website you don’t recognise, always do a bit of research and you may find from a simple online search will show that the website is fake. </p>

people

Consumer Corner: How to spot a fake website and avoid being scammed

In addition to fake shops there are plenty of fake service providers looking to target innocent consumers with deals on things such as loans and financial products

<p>Data for the first half of 2024 shows the volume of investment fraud attempts has jumped by 76% compared to the same period last year.</p>

news

Surge in scams targeting consumers but younger people 'complacent' about being stung, study finds

<p>Visiting an estate agent used to be the main way to source an apartment to rent but many offers are now made on social media and some of these will be fraudulent: Twelve people lost a total of €20,000-plus through accommodation scams in Ireland last month alone. iStock</p>

news

Gardaí issue rental fraud warning as people scammed for as much as €3,700

Scam risks

news

Regulator to create forum that will oversee fight against scam calls and texts

Hacker Targeting Online Shoppers for Identity Theft

spotlight

One of world's 'largest online scams' catches out over 800,000 European shoppers

Credit card on fishing hook pulled from stack on keyboard

economy

Scammers increasingly targeting Irish workers nearing retirement

Woman fleeced out of €450k among 245 victims of dating scams

Woman fleeced out of €450k among 245 victims of dating scams

After matching online, the culprits quickly encourage their victim to move to a messaging app or email

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Mortality rates

Scammers targeting mourners who live-stream funerals

If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of a livestream, it is best to contact the relevant funeral director to verify before logging in

Wed, 31 Jan, 2024

Micheál Martin takes legal action against Google over use of his name in scam adverts

Micheál Martin takes legal action against Google over use of his name in scam adverts

Micheál Martin launched the High Court proceedings on Tuesday against both Google Ireland LTD and Google LLC.

Wed, 06 Dec, 2023

Take Five To Stop Fraud campaign

Revenue and DPD warn Black Friday shoppers about scammers targeting sales

This weekend will be one of the busiest shopping weekends of the entire year

Tue, 21 Nov, 2023

Christmas online shopping study

Reports of investment fraud up 77% as criminals exploit cost-of-living crisis

On average, almost 70% of victims of investment fraud are aged over 40. Just under two-thirds (65%) are men.

Wed, 15 Nov, 2023

Man watching TV, lying on sofa, legs on table

Campaign highlights cybersecurity risks of streaming content illegally

The BeStreamWise campaign aims to raise awareness of the risks associated with piracy when accessing film, TV series or sport through illegal platforms, links and devices

Wed, 15 Nov, 2023

Beautiful Caucasian Female Using Smartphone in Stylish Living Room while Resting on a Cozy Couch Sofa. Young Woman at Home, Brow

S Easy ways to stay savvy when shopping online this festive season

Distance buying carries a large cautionary sticker if you don’t know your push notifications from your IBAN

Sun, 12 Nov, 2023

Online payment

Students face fraud through money mule and rental scams

All consumers, particularly students, are urged to be vigilant to the risks of being recruited as a money mule, writes John Hearne

Thu, 02 Nov, 2023

Police Stock

Chinese student in Northern Ireland scammed out of £200,000

The PSNI received two similar reports last year of scammers who had targeted Chinese students studying in Belfast.

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023

Tenancy Agreement

Student conned out of thousands when he awoke to find 12 people moving into his apartment

Threshold, the Irish Council for International Students and the Union of Students Ireland are raising awareness of rental scams

Wed, 16 Aug, 2023

34 arrested in Ireland as part of Interpol operation targeting West African crime syndicate

34 arrested in Ireland as part of Interpol operation targeting West African crime syndicate

The arrests took place in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Dublin, Meath, Kildare, and Longford

Thu, 10 Aug, 2023

close up employee man hand holding smartphone to checking alert from mailbox with warning sign for email spam security and prote

Scam texts and calls costing mobile phone customers €300m a year, research shows

Telecoms regulator ComReg said it was working with telecoms operators to implement safeguards to make it harder for fraudulent calls and texts to be sent to customers

Tue, 01 Aug, 2023

close up employee man hand holding smartphone to checking alert from mailbox with warning sign for email spam security and prote

Increase in number of people falling victim to 'Hi Mum' text messaging scams

'Hi Mum' smishing scams have become more prevalent during the summer months, when family members are more likely to be away from home

Fri, 28 Jul, 2023

How to avoid ticketing scams ahead of Taylor Swift ticket release

How to avoid ticketing scams ahead of Taylor Swift ticket release

The Anti-Hero singer will be gracing the stage at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29, 2024 as well as Sunday, June 30

Thu, 20 Jul, 2023

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard logos on smartphone and tablet. Microsoft announced that they are planning to purchase Activis

Microsoft eyes move to get €61bn video games deal done

Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are considering giving up some control of their cloud-gaming business in the UK as a way to appease regulators so they can complete their $69bn (€61bn) merger by the July 18 deadline, according to people familiar ...

Thu, 13 Jul, 2023

Truck Fuel Protest

Consumer: Beware fraudulent eFlow messages

It is easy to be caught out by the latest scam where fraudsters target motorists, writes John Hearne

Thu, 13 Jul, 2023

Close Up Of Person With Addiction To Online Gambling Or Shopping Using Credit Card And Mobile Phone

ComReg research shows there were 365,000 scam texts and calls last year

The research indicates that during 2022, there were up to 89 million annoying or irritating communications and 31 million distressing communications

Fri, 16 Jun, 2023

Public urged to be vigilant of motorway toll text message scam

Public urged to be vigilant of motorway toll text message scam

The messages vary in content, but always include and embedded hyperlink to a cloned website, which appears to be authentic

Thu, 06 Apr, 2023

Banks warn of rise in 'highly convincing' investment scams targeting over-55s

Banks warn of rise in 'highly convincing' investment scams targeting over-55s

FraudSMART said one red flag to watch for is receiving an unexpected telephone call, e-mail or social media message about an investment opportunity

Fri, 10 Mar, 2023

Buying with smart phone

Scammers targeting households in receipt of Government energy supports

The Government is providing energy supports for households. The scammers are trying to take advantage writes John Hearne

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023

Person with a hoody typing at a computer in the dark. Suspicious online behavior

Three-quarters of Irish consumers targeted by online fraudsters this year

Ahead of November sales, Visa urges people to be alert to scams, and to protect themselves while shopping.

Thu, 17 Nov, 2022

Gardaí warn Cork homeowners to be aware of 'painting scams'

Gardaí warn Cork homeowners to be aware of 'painting scams'

In some cases, the operators take the money and don’t carry out the work, senior garda said

Thu, 06 Oct, 2022

Cyber gangs target small businesses for scams

Cyber gangs target small businesses for scams

Departments 'working together' to protect energy and internet cables

Tue, 04 Oct, 2022

close up employee man hand holding smartphone to checking alert from mailbox with warning sign for email spam security and prote

Scam victims conned into paying an average of €1,700 to fraudsters

The Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland says that the number of smishing scams it has been notified of so far this year is almost double the amount seen during the first six months of 2021

Wed, 10 Aug, 2022

Gardaí issue warning over elaborate bank and 'hi mum' text messaging scams

Gardaí issue warning over elaborate bank and 'hi mum' text messaging scams

The number of text and Whataspp message scams being reported to gardaí has increased significantly in recent years

Thu, 04 Aug, 2022

Technology Stock

Customers warned to be 'extra vigilant' due to new wave of scam texts

The bank has seen the number of ‘smishing’ cases detected by its Fraud Prevention team increase by around 50% since the introduction of this tactic.

Thu, 14 Jul, 2022

PSNI stock

International students in Northern Ireland swindled out of more than €122,500

Police said it is working with Queen’s and Ulster University to raise awareness of criminals targeting students.

Mon, 09 May, 2022

close up employee man hand holding smartphone to checking alert from mailbox with warning sign for email spam security and prote

Scammers steal €22.5m from Irish victims as account takeover fraud rises 552%

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau has urged people to be wary of any unsolicited phone calls, emails, and texts and not to click on any links

Fri, 01 Apr, 2022

Bitcoin as a bait. Blockchain cryptocurrency trap. Free money concept. Bitcoin on the hook. Copy space

Bitconned: Hook, line and sinker

More and more women are being swindled out of their money without lifting their head from the same screen on which they watch popular Netflix series ‘The Tinder Swindler’, but they are not alone, investment fraud has risen dramatically during the pandemic, writes Ann Murphy

Tue, 22 Feb, 2022

What we learn from Anna Delvey: Scams are all the rage for Generation Hustle

What we learn from Anna Delvey: Scams are all the rage for Generation Hustle

A wave of TV shows such as Inventing Anna are sympathetic portrayals of the con artist that lies within us all

Thu, 17 Feb, 2022

Stolen Credit Cards

Gardaí report 370% rise in text, call, and email scams

So-called phishing, smishing and vishing scams have seen a dramatic increase in recent years

Fri, 04 Feb, 2022

Businessman using a computer to Blockchain technology concept with a chain of encrypted blocks to secure cryptocurrencies and bi

Woman in her 60s arrested over €1m cryptocurrency scam

Gardaí believe money provided to the woman for the purposes of 'an investment' was transferred to virtual asset service providers and then converted into cryptocurrency

Thu, 03 Feb, 2022

Phone call from unknown number late at night. Scam, fraud or phishing with smartphone concept. Prank caller, scammer or stranger

Industry lobbying led to creation of task force to tackle scam calls

The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) last year reported a 15-fold increase in reports of phishing and smishing

Thu, 27 Jan, 2022

Technology Stock - Social Media

Public warned against clicking on fake booster test links

HSE will never seek payment for booster vaccinations, authority says

Fri, 19 Nov, 2021

Social media stock

WhatsApp launches scam messages awareness campaign

More than half (59%) of people have received a message-based scam in the last year or know someone who has.

Fri, 12 Nov, 2021

Cork woman describes 'anguish' of having €10,000 stolen from account

Cork woman describes 'anguish' of having €10,000 stolen from account

She got the money back in the end, but didn't want anyone else to go through the "anguish" she had

Tue, 19 Oct, 2021

Phone call from unknown number late at night. Scam, fraud or phishing with smartphone concept. Prank caller, scammer or stranger

Scam victims conned out of €5,300 on average as fraud increases

Almost 70% of consumers have been targeted by some form of impersonation scam

Thu, 07 Oct, 2021

Phone call from unknown number late at night. Scam, fraud or phishing with smartphone concept. Prank caller, scammer or stranger

Irish Examiner View: Are mobile phones the enemy within?

Already faced with fraud and phishing scams, the latest revelations about Pegasus spy software dent public confidence even further

Tue, 20 Jul, 2021

empty wallet

Con artists pocket almost €500k in romance fraud scams

People have been warned to be wary of potential romance fraud scams after 30 cases were reported last year.

Fri, 12 Feb, 2021

Online shopping

Buying online in a post Brexit world is a tricky business

Learn who you’re buying from, where they’re based, and what additional charges may apply

Tue, 09 Feb, 2021

Scammers turn level 5 crisis into an opportunity

Scammers turn level 5 crisis into an opportunity

Unscrupulous operators will always find a way to exploit fears and steal money, writes John Hearne

Thu, 28 Jan, 2021

4,000 TV boxes among items seized by gardaí in operation targeting counterfeit goods

4,000 TV boxes among items seized by gardaí in operation targeting counterfeit goods

4,200 website selling copyrighted materials across the EU and beyond were identified as part of the investigation

Fri, 25 Sep, 2020

Scam risks

'Huge increase' in sophisticated texting scams aimed at banking customers

Gardaí have warned of a "huge increase" in the number of texting scams targeting bank customers. Some have lost thousands of euro after their accounts were targeted by criminals.

Fri, 11 Sep, 2020

€3m lost to fake investment scams in first eight months of 2020

€3m lost to fake investment scams in first eight months of 2020

Garda warn of surge in costly bogus investment opportunities Cormac O’Keeffe Security Correspondent Gardaí are issuing an alert to people about bogus investment opportunities, after a 160% increase in reported incidents this year.

Thu, 03 Sep, 2020