Scammers posing as MABS offering fake Government grants

The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has today issued a warning that members of the public have been receiving correspondence falsely claiming to be from Money, Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

The scammers indicate that candidates for a Government grant of €5,000 grant have been selected from lists of individuals on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment database.

A "cheque" for €1,460 is included in the correspondence to cover "taxes and administrative fee" associated with the processing of the grant. Recipients are requested to telephone a contact number and complete a "Grant Release Form" which seeks various personal information.

“This is a scam,” says NCA director of consumer practices John Shine.

“There is no such grant scheme in operation. Under no circumstances should members of the public provide any information on foot of such correspondence.”

Anyone who receives this communication is asked to contact the Garda Fraud Bureau on [phone] or make contact with your local Garda station.