'It's not us' - An Garda Síochána issues warning as scammers pretend to be Gardaí

An Garda Síochána are warning Irish communities contacted by people claiming to be Gardaí to be cautious. 

The warning was published online yesterday (March 21), with Gardaí urging anyone who has received a phone call, text or email from someone claiming to be a Garda to come forward. 

A spokesperson stated, "Have you or someone you know had their phone lost or stolen, and later been contacted by someone claiming to be Gardaí? It's not us. We will never ask for a PIN or unlock code to verify ownership. It can easily happen because these criminals are sophisticated but never disclose personal or financial information over the phone, by text or by email.

"If you have been called by someone posing as a Garda please let us know - report it at your local Garda Station right away. Help us raise awareness of this scam by spreading the word among those you know." 

Smartphone owners are being urged to familiarise themselves with simple steps to prevent their phones being taken, which may allow scammers an opportunity to steal sensitive information later on. 

Advice includes dialling *#06#, saving a screenshot of IMEI number and emailing a screenshot to yourself, keeping your phone locked and enabling PIN security and phone finder features, and keeping your phone out of view of the public. 

Gardaí also advise avoiding making calls or texting while crossing a road, not leaving phones in cars, and reporting phone loss to Gardaí and service providers if it is stolen.