Consumer agency warns of a range of new scams

Almost 300 people have contacted the consumer watchdog since January in relation to a range of scams.

The National Consumer Agency has urged unsuspecting consumers that a range of new scams have come to its attention that people need to be vigilant about.

Last year, the body received 835 scam-related queries. Of those, 44% were related to phishing scams, where the consumer was contacted directly by someone purporting to represent a company and advising them of a problem with their computer.

However, the NCA say that a newer scam around holiday rental properties is become increasingly prevalent in recent months as the summer season kicks off in earnest.

The scammers access a legitimate holiday home rental property, steal the pictures, property details and create another website offering the properties to unsuspecting consumers who pay the entire amount or a substantial deposit.

The ead of communications and marketing at the NCA, Siobhan Howe, said this latest scam was something the agency had come across in recent months and said holidaymakers trying to get quick deals can easily be taken in by such scams.

“It’s quite a topical scam at this time of the year,” said Ms Howe. “It’s summer time, the sun is shining and people are looking for cheap deals and booking flights separately. It’s a simple thing for the scammer to target. These sites look really genuine and slick and people can be taken in very easily by them.”

The NCA advises anyone with information on scams to contact the agency and the gardaí, so both organisations can alert the public of the scam.

“People need to remember to book through reputable websites,” said Ms Howe. “If you are asked to make a payment up front, pay as little as possible. Most reputable companies will offer a multiple means of paying, not just money transfer. If you think you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately.”

Ms Howe also advised consumers of scams offering free services at a cost, such as those purporting to help people apply for the European Health Insurance Card and Road Safety Authority driver theory and practical tests.

Phishing scams also remain the most common way people are scammed into giving out details like passwords and financial details

“If these sites are asking you for your credit card details for a free service, stop and ask yourself what are you paying for? If it’s free, why are you paying for?,” said Ms Howe. “People get calls telling them they have been the victim of fraud or their computer has a virus and they panic. These scammers are very creative and people do fall for them all the time.”

A 2011 NCA survey found 61% of Irish consumers said they or a family member had been targeted by a scam. Of those targeted, 28% replied to a scam with the intention to participate, while 11% said they handed over money or information due to scams. How to stay ahead of the scammers: Stop, think, and be sceptical.

- Ensure that you fully understand any offers made to you — if in doubt, ask detailed questions. Don’t be rushed or pressurised into making a decision — if an offer is genuine, you should be allowed time to consider it.

- Don’t respond to unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls requesting personal information. Banks and other legitimate companies will never ask for your personal details in an email.

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

- Always look up phone numbers in an independent directory when you wish to check if a request or offer is genuine and beware of businesses that supply a mobile number only and no address.

- Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

- Cut your losses. If you are unfortunate enough to have been caught, don’t be tempted to recoup your losses by responding to an even more attractive ‘offer’ — scam artists also make money by selling on so- called ‘suckers lists’ to others scammers.