Gardaí warn public to beware of bogus security calls asking for personal data

Gardaí have warned people to beware of a telephone scam in which they are encouraged to part with personal data as part of a bogus security call.

"Vishing" happens when criminals deceive people into providing personal information which they attempt to use to commit fraud.

Here's how the call goes:

1. Members of the public receive a telephone call to their landline from an individual claiming to be a security manager from a well-known store.

2. The person is asked to provide personal financial details.

3. If they decline, the caller advises the individual to either contact their financial institution using the telephone number on the reverse of their genuine card or alternatively contact the Gardaí and provide the information to them.

A recent twist on the scam has been the use of the name of the local Garda Superintendent by the caller.

4. The customer then hangs up and assumes they are phoning either the bank or the Gardaí as instructed.

5. But the original call has not been terminated - so the victim ends up disclosing their personal banking details to the fraudster or an accomplice who has remained on the line.