Cases of fraud have increased due to more people working from home, together with better processes by criminals to capture the online activity of consumers making purchases in Ireland and abroad, Detective Chief Superintendent Pat Lordan has said.
He was speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland after figures released by the Central Statistics Office this week show that cases of fraud here have doubled in the last year, with almost 17,000 cases through personal or banking information being stolen.
Det Chief Supt Lordan said account takeover is the most common type of fraud.
He explained this happens as a result of 'smishing’, where SMS text messages received allow criminal organisations to access a person’s bank account when they provide their personal details.
"Once they get your bank account details, they will take all the money from your account, no matter how small amounts you have, or how large an amount you have in it."
These messages have "improved" Det Chief Supt Lordan said.
"They're now sending text messages to say that your bank card has been compromised and please provide your bank card. That somebody will call around to your house to collect your bank card.
"Banks will never do that. An Garda Síochána will never ask you for your personal details, nor will Revenue or anybody else.
Det Chief Supt Lordan said that the latest scam was a raffle that "you've won and you need to put in your personal details so that you can claim this prize".
He asked people not to provide their personal bank details and pin numbers.
He explained that business email compromise fraud appears in the form of an invoice due to be paid, but an incorrect IBAN is included.
"The invoice is correct but the IBAN has been changed in the course of the transmission of the email to be linked to an organised crime or money mule account.
"The real issue here is that the invoice is due, but the fact is you're sending it to the incorrect IBAN.
"It has taken place in a number of house purchases over the last couple of years.
"We have seen the purchasers getting an email from their solicitor to say the deal is now done, go and pay your money into this bank account."
Det Chief Supt Lordan outlined one case where a couple lost over €600,000.
"Thankfully they realised their mistake very quickly when they spoke to their solicitor. Gardaí in the Financial Intelligence Unit recovered over 85% of the money in a European country," he said.
Det Chief Supt Lordan also warned consumers to be aware of accommodation fraud, and advised people to steer clear of social media sites to book holiday accommodation.
"Go on to a traditional site that you've used before," he warned.
He said deals booked on social media sites have led to premises being double booked.
"As one family found out recently, they arrived at their accommodation to find another family living in the house and they had paid a substantial amount of money to rent it long term."
Ways to avoid being the victim of fraud
Be wary of texts (even those in the thread of previous genuine texts from banks), especially if you are expecting a delivery.
Be wary of cold calls – always ask the caller their name and for their phone number. If you have any concerns just hang up and ring your bank/service provider using the number on your bill/statement – just because it looks like an Irish number, it doesn't mean it is.
Don’t download any Apps that give fraudsters control of your device.
Never ever click on links.
Never ever give away your personal data (bank details, PIN numbers, passwords, one time codes, PPS number or Eircode's).
Do not transfer any money.
Get advice from a trusted person before taking any action.
If you have been a victim, change your passwords/pin codes, report it to your bank and ask them to do a recall, then report it to gardaí.
